Event Comment: "At the conclusion of the Opera on Saturday, a scene of riot and tumult took place which the
King's Theatre has not witnessed since the celebrated discords between 'Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dee' in the days of
Handel and
Bononcini. At the commencement of the la
st dance ho
stilities commenced by hissing and hooting from the pit and boxes...The dancers, however, were not dismayed, but continued their evolutions, though the noise was so great that they derived but little aid from the music. At la
st a body of malcontents, among whom were several
stars and ribbons, sallied from the pit and took possession of the
stage, from which they drove the light-heeled troops, and immediately began to perform a ballet tragique. The chamber of
Ifigenia was despoiled of all its ornaments, and side scenes, and patent lamps; Roman tents and triumphal cars danced on the
stage in all the mazes of confusion, nor did they cease, till they had demolished everything they found that was moveable.
Mr Carnevale came forward to inform the audience that
Mr Gallini could not be found...The o
stensible reason given for this riot, which in our opinion is not to be ju
stified on any pretense, is that Mr Gallini has not engaged dancers of sufficient eminence" (
Public Advertiser, 10 Feb.)