Event Comment: By Command of
their Majesties.
Theatrical Review, 11 March: Written by the celebrated
Milton when he was very young...it would have been sufficient had he never produced anthing more considerable, to have transmitted his fame to the latest posterity. It is inimitable set to music by
Mr Handel...not strictly an Oratorio, tho' perform'd as such, the subject not being taken from
Holy Writ. To which was added the celebrated
Te Deum, composed by Mr Handel for the peace of
Utrecht...a very grand masterly piece. End of Act I,
a Concerto on the French Horn by
Mr Ponta, musician to his Serene Highness, the
Elector of Mentz, lately arrived in
England. What this gentleman executes with the
horn is very surprising, but, not being suited to the genius of the instrument, it is not productive of any good effect, when considered musically; as a matter of novelty it may surprise and please, on which account it is worthy the notice of the curious
Performances
Mainpiece Title: L'allegro Ed Il Penseroso, With Handel's te Deum
Music: Concerto on French Horn-Ponta (Musician to his Serene Highness the Elector of Mentz); Solo on Violincello-Janson, his 2nd performance in England