Event Comment: [Sga Mattei announced her undertaking direction of Italian Serious Operas and Burlettas for the ensuing winter, promised the performance of them for the best advantage of the public, and listed the members of the company she had engaged: For Serious Operas: herself, Philippo Elisi (the first singer in Italy), Gaetano Quilice (tenor), Angiola Calori (second woman), Giovanni Sorbelloni (second man), and a new singer for the lowest character. For the Burlettas: Sga Paganini (the first female character and the foremost in Italy), Gaetano Quilice (the first man), Sga Eleardi (second woman), Paganini (second man), Signor N. N. (third man), Angiola Calori and Sorbelloni (to perform the serious parts in the Burlettas). Dancers: Mlle Asselin (first woman dancer), Gheradi (first dancer of the men, and ballet master), famed both in the serious and comic as well as for his invention as for exercises in dancing. There will also be other comic dancers, and figures both for the serious operas and burlettas.

Event Comment: A new serious Opera [a pasticcio]. Music by different Masters. To begin at 6 p.m. on account of the Prologue. [Note: The 1760 Libretto at Library of Congress designates the "Musical Prologue sung by Signora Mattei" on 22 Nov. The prologue consists of recitative and a brief air of two quatrains.

Event Comment: Young Gentlewoman-Miss E. Miller, marryed since to Mr Thomas Baker, an actor of cg, and a singing master. Mrs Baker is at present separated from her husband (1792) and performs only at Sadler's Wells in Pantomimes &c! Qu: Count Haslang and Mrs Baker (Hopkins MS Notes). Income from Boxes #27 2s. 6d. Nightly expense as usual #32 16s. 11d. Receipts: #74 7s. 6d. (Winston Theatrical Record)

Event Comment: By Command of Their Majesties. John Rich, Master & Patentee of Covent Garden Theatre died (Winston MS 9)

Event Comment: JJohn Rich Esq, Master and Patentee of the TRCG, died Thursday 26 Nov. 1761, about six o'clock in the evening, at his house adjoining to the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, in the seventieth year of his age. Mrs Priscilla Rich sole executrix of the Will of John Rich Esq, deceas'd. Mr John Rich was buried in Hillingdon Churchyard. (See his Epitaph, Lysons's Middlesex Parishes, p. 162) Dec. 4, 1761. ibid p. 173 (Hopkins MS Notes). Income from Boxes #85 5s. Rec'd of John Condill on acct of Fruit #20. Expenses #46 3s. 8d. [The balance brought forward to this date for this season was #2007 9s. 1d. From this was subtracted the #1291 19s. 4d. necessary for starting the season (see 9 Sept.), which left Beard a favorable balance of #715 9s. 9d. with which to carry on. The Winston Theatrical Record ceases on this date.

Event Comment: Both pieces By Command of Their Majesties. Sga Manesiere lived with Mr Fisher, Ballet Master at cg, who marryed her in her last illness. N.B. She had some Property. This Lady was a pattern of neatness and exterior modesty (Hopkins MS Notes)

Event Comment: Benefit for Leviez, ballet master. Full Prices. Afterpiece: By Desire. The Farmer, for last time this season

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A pastoral never performed on any Stage, Words set to the music of eminent masters. Books of the Pastoral to be sold at the Theatre. [See Theatrical Review; or, Annals of the Drama, 1763, pp. 20-22.

Event Comment: [Puff for the afterpiece]: As this Pastoral was not originally designed for the theatre, it is thought proper to give the public some account of it, and by what means it has now found its way to the stage. The Chorusses and Airs were selected from Mr Handel, and several other eminent masters, by a gentleman whose taste and knowledge in music is perhaps his least merit. Having conceived the design of a musical entertainment of this miscellaneous nature he found himself oblig'd...to connect them [the airs] by a Recitative of his own composition: This naturally produced a kind of a little drama, and the ease and elegance of the whole is the more to be admired when it is considered that the words were of necessity composed in perfect subservience to the music. The piece has been several times performed at Salisbury and greatly admired by many of the first Rank. The author, upon Mr Norris being engaged at the theatre, was applied to for leave to bring it on the stage, to which he has most obligingly given his consent. [Cast given] After an agreeable Overture, the curtain rises and discovers a rural scene, and a troop of nymphs and shepherds assembled to celebrate the Spring. Their rejoicings open with a grand cheerful chorus. We cannot say enough of the taste and execution of Mr Vernon and Miss Young in this scene. The united sprightliness and simplicity of the duet was truly admirable. [Song given, followed by a brief description of the parting of the shepherds, the announcement of Peace so they won't have to part, and special commendation for the various songs of Mr Vincent, and Mr Norris.] We will venture to prophesy that it will be more and more admired at every representation; though perhaps it may not fall in with the Taste of the Groundlings, who, like Polonius, are for a Jig or a Tale of Bawdry, or they sleep (Public Advertiser)

Event Comment: Benefit for Lowe. Music by Handel. Tickets 3s. By Particular Desire of the Right Hon. Earl of Ferrars, Grand Master of the Antient and Hon. Society of Free Masons. Mr Lowe's constant attendance at Marybone Gardens renders it impossible for him to wait on all his friends in person, he therefore hopes they will take tickets, in order to prevent mistakes at changing money at the doors

Event Comment: A serious Opera...the Musick composed by several eminent Masters. All new Dances; and New Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. Pit and Boxes laid together 10s. 6d. Gallery 5s. and no Person admitted without Tickets, which will be deliver'd at the door. By His Majesty's Command, no Person to be admitted behind the Scenes. To begin 6:30 p.m. [Giardini the new Impresario; Spilsbury-treasurer.

Event Comment: A new Opera. Music by different masters

Event Comment: Benefit Miss Mozart of Twelve and Master Mozart of Eight Years Prodigies of Nature. Tickets a Half a Guinea each, to be had of Mr Mozart at Mr Williamson's in Thrift St., Soho. A Box Ticket shall admit two into the Gallery. To begin at 6 p.m., which will not hinder the Nobility and Gentry from meeting in other Assemblies the same evening

Event Comment: Benefit for Grimaldi (Ballet Master) and Aldridge

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Simson, Mrs Cross, Tassoni, Master Rogier

Event Comment: At the Little Theatre in James Street near the Haymarket. Doors to be opened at 5:00. To begin exactly at 6:00. Boxes 4s. Pit 2s. 6d. Gallery 1s. 6d. to the public. After several of our Lords and Masters, the Men, have with various success made wry faces for the amusement of the town; permit a woman to attempt the arduous task of laughing the men out of their follies; declaring, however, that while she attempts the ridicule of vices peculiar to the other sex, she will by no means spare the slightest foible of her own (Public Advertiser). The Theatre is fitted up in an elegant manner, and constant fires are kept to make the house agreeably warm (Gazetteer & New Daily Advertiser). [This Lecture continued to 6 March.

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. [Sga Spagnolla had been ill and missed a number of performances. For singers and dancers see following letter.] Sir: I am one of those to whom an Oratorio or an Opera (whether Italian or English) gives exquisite delight; and am therefore glad that, as the town is now full, those entertainments will, very probably, be crowded; and thus amply repay the several managers, for the great risk they run, as to their property, as well as for the vast pains they take to amuse us; for the labour employed, on those occasions, is infinitely greater than is usually imagined. The Italian opera has suffered considerably, this season, by the inability of Sga Spagnoli to exert her musical talents, owing to a most severe cold; but as she has now recovered her voice, 'tis presumed that she will be a source of as great pleasure, among us, to persons of a musical ear, and who have a true taste for that species of dramas, as she was in her native country, where she was always heard with great applause. I myself find great charms in the entertainments, as now exhibiting at the King's Theatre: for, besides Sga Spagnoli's taste I do not perceive the least diminution in Sg Elisi's voice or action, both of which pleased us so much two or three years ago. Ciprandi appears to me a fine player as well as singer; and with regard to Sg Savoi, he is generally thought to have a pleasing voice. [Comments on competence of the Orchestra.] The principal dancers are likewise acknowledged to have considerable merit. The gracefulness and the ease of Sg Adriani are very pleasing, as is the elegant agility of Sga Fabris Monari....Sg Sodi has so often diverted us by his compositions as Ballet master that it were superfluous to bestow any encomiums on him in this place. [Long comment on agreeable performance of Sofonisba, Scenery, etc. A puff by Musidorus in Public Advertiser.

Event Comment: Paid salary list 3 days at #72 4s. 1d. per diem #216 12s. 3d.; Mr Weston on his note #5 5s.; Mrs Abington 3 first days not on list #2 10s. (Treasurer's Book). [From a long review in the Public Advertiser 3 Oct.: Two new performers in parts very difficult to execute-Mr Cautherly a pupil of the greatest master of the art of acting that ever graced the English stage (if not European)...has this summer convinced us that he is susceptible of the most refined instructions of his great patron and tutor. Of the Lady, I can say nothing prior to her appearance 30 Sept. as I am noways acquainted with her history any more than that by declaration of common report; she is the spouse of the brother of that Mr Barry who has so greatly pleas'd the town this summer at the Opera House." [Comments on her figure, voice and countenance well adapted to express the stronger passions.] She seemed to be so much in love with Romeo as to forget she represented a young and inexperienced virgin unused to men...The first scene of consequence is the Masquerade scene, which was as to business very badly conducted; but this, I doubt not will be rectified another night, they were discovered in disorder and they went off in confusion. It appeared a tumultous assembly rather than a Masquerade of nobility in an Italian Palace. Romeo stayed so long behind the crow that he was oblig'd to run to his station opposite Juliet to be in time for "Cousin Benvolio, do you mark that lady." [A long and detailed review of the stage action act by act.] In the Garden scene an unlucky accident happened to Cautherly...his nose ran with blood and he was oblig'd to keep his handkerchief to his nose all through, which was a great loss to the audience...The Apothecary is the best figure I ever saw, and spoke more sensibly than I ever heard an apothecary speak in my life. Mr Castle has rescued that character from ridicule, and worked by pity what buffoonery used to run off with-applause." Receipts: #145 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book.

Event Comment: VViscomica to the Printer of the Public Advertiser: As burlettas have been laid aside some years, and they are a species of entertainment I am particularly fond of, as there is vivacity in the music, and great humour and satire in the performance, I was much pleased with the thoughts of being as well entertained as I had heretofore been; and more so when I found I could gain admittance to so good a place for hearing, for the trifling sum of three shillings; a place in which I never dared to shew my face before, not being on a footing with the riotous company that used to be admitted there, to attend their several masters' call; a nuisance, from which I rejoice the managers have at length, after so many hints and solcitations, found out a method to deliver their audience. I remember to have seen a darkish way down a flight of steps to a dismal winding staircase, which I was told led to the footman's gallery, and, supposing that the road I was to take on this occasion, was very agreeably undeceived by being shewn up about halfway to the five shilling gallery, and by a turn through an arch introduced to a new and convenient staircase leading to this region of the gods, where I was surprised to find myself arrived before I thought I was half-way up. The managers have indeed made this place very neat and commodious, by rendering the descent much less steep, lowering and matting the benches, painting and lighting the whole place; so that I found myself as much at my ease there, as in any other part of the house, and much better situated than I had expected; likewise, by their following Mr Garrick's example, in removing the pendant lustres, and lighting after the foreign manner, you have a full view of the whole stage; by which the magnificance appears greatly increased. The performance was beyond my expectations, as I think the performers excel any in their way which have appeared in this country; but I need not expatiates upon a subject the town in general have been, or I dare say will be, as good judges of as yours, &c

Event Comment: A new Serious Opera composed by several celebrated Composers. [From the London Evening Post: The Decoration of the Opera House is very splendid. The Concert Master has 50 Guineas a night, an Englishman. The First Dancer 6 Guineas a night."

Event Comment: Benefit for Love. House charges #66 7s. [Profit to Love #84 19s.] Paid Manager's subscription to Widow Nimmo #2 2s; Paid French on acct #20; Rec'd Stopages #3 3s. Paid salary list #435 19s. (Treasurer's Book). [Neville attended and commented that Bayes was well done by Love, We had Hearts of Oak, Bayes's Horse, & and a Concerto on the Harpsichord by Master Love, who was much applauded.'] Receipts: #151 6s. (Treasurer's Book)