Event Comment: The
United Company. The date of the first production is not known, but Part II seems to have followed rather closely upon Part I. The
Gentleman's Journal, June 1694 (which apparently appeared in mid-June) states: The first Part of
Mr Durfey's
Don Quixote was so well received, that we have had a second Part of that Comical History acted lately, which doubtless must be thought as
entertaining as the first; since in this hot season it could bring such a numerous audience (p. 170). The
Songs were advertised in the
London Gazette, 5 July 1694, and Part II advertised in the same periodical 19-23 July 1694. The songs as listed in the separately printed
Songs are as follows:
Genius of England, the music by
Henry Purcell, sung by
Freeman and
Mrs Cibber.
I burn, I burn, the music by
John Eccles, sung by
Mrs Bracegirdle.
Since times are so bad, the music by
Henry Purcell, sung by
Reading and
Mrs Ayliff.
Damon, let a friend, the music by
Pack, sung by
Mrs Hudson.
Ye nymphs and sylvan gods, the music by
John Eccles sung by
Mrs Ayliff.
If you will love me, composer and singer not named. In addition,
Thesaurus Musicus, 1695, published
Lads and lasses, blithe and gay, the music by Henry Purcell, sung by
Mrs Hudson. Purcell also wrote the music for other songs for which the singer is not known. Preface, edition of 1694: The good success, which both the Parts of
Don Quixote have had, either from their Natural Merit, or the Indulgence of my Friends, or both, ought sufficiently to satisfie me, that I have no reason to value tne little Malice of some weak Heads, that make it their business to be simply Criticizing....I think I have given some additional Diversion in the Continuance of the character of
Marcella, which is wholly new in this Part, and my own Invention, the design finishing with more pleasure to the Audience by punishing that coy Creature by an extravagant Passion here, that was so inexorable and cruel in the first Part, and ending with a Song so incomparably well sung, and acted by
Mrs Bracegirdle, that the most envious do allow, as well as the most ingenious affirm, that 'tis the best of that kind ever done before....I deserve some acknowledgment for drawing that Character of
Mary the Buxom, which was intirely my own,...by making the Character humorous, and the extraordinary well acting of
Mrs Verbruggen, it is by the best Judges allowed a Masterpiece of humour