Event Comment: By Subscription. With a new Prologue and Epilogue. Admission as 14 Dec. 1703. [A Folger Library broadside appears to be a program for this concert. It lists in Act I The Druid's Song from Bonduca, two songs by Mrs Tofts, a song from The Fairy Queen, and a dance; in Act II The Frost Music from King Arthur, two dances, and a song by Mrs Tofts; in Act III an Ode on the Glorious Beginning of Her Majesty's Reign, set by Daniel Purcell and performed by Leveridge, Hughes, Mrs Lindsey, and Mrs Campion; a song by Mrs Tofts, The Sacrifice from King Arthur, and a Grand Dance.

Event Comment: The United Company. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@151, p. 369: Ye Q: a Box & a Box for ye Maids Honor Amphitrion. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 352. The date of the first performance is not known, and it is doubtful that this one is the first; the premiere may have occurred early in October. The Songs and Music were published in 1690 and again in 1691, and have been edited by the Purcell Society, XVI (1906), iii-vi. Dedication, Edition of 1690: But what has been wanting on my part, has been abundantly supplied by the Excellent Composition of Mr Purcell; in whose person we have at length found an English Man equal with the best abroad. At least, my Opinion of him has been such, since his happy and judicious performances in the late opera [The Prophetess], and the experience I have had of him, in the setting my three Songs for this Amphitryon": To all which, and particularly to the composition of the Pastoral Dialogue, the numerous Quire of Fair Ladies gave so just an Applause on the Third Day. Cibber, Apology, I, 113: As we have sometimes great Composers of Musick who cannot sing, we have as frequently great Writers that cannot read; and though without the nicest Ear no Man can be Master of Poetical Numbers, yet the best Ear in the World will not always enable him to pronounce them. Of this Truth Dryden, our first great Master of Verse and Harmony, was a strong Instance: When he brought his Play of Amphytrion to the Stage, I heard him give it his first Reading to the Actors, in which, though it is true he deliver'd the plain Sense of every Period, yet the whole was in so cold, so flat, and unaffecting a manner, that I am afraid of not being believ'd when I affirm it

Event Comment: Aeneas and Dido compos'd by the late Mr Henry Purcell. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not Acted these Nine Years. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. With the Original Songs set to Musick by Mr H. Purcell, and Scenes, Habits, and other Decorations proper to the Play. Afterpiece: [By Charles Coffey.] An Opera of one Act. N.B. By Reason of the Length of the Days, the Doors will be open'd till four o'Clock; the Play will begin exactly at Seven, and particular Care is taken to keep the House Cool. Printed Books of the Opera will be sold at the Theatre

Event Comment: Luttrell, A Brief Relation, II, 437: This being the queen s birth day, a new ode was sung before her upon the occasion: the nobility and gentry, with the lord mayor and aldermen of this citty, attended to compliment thereon. Gentleman's Journal, May 1692: The 30th of April, being Her Majesties Birth-day, was observ'd with all the usual Solemnity. I design'd to have sent you an Attempt of mine in Verse, on that noble Subject: But having happily obtain'd a Copy of those writ by Sir Charles Sidley, it would have been an unpardonable Crime, to have joyn'd my weak Essay to a Piece by so great a Master. [The Ode, Love's Goddess Sure, the music by Henry Purcell, is in Purcell's Works, Purcell Society, XXIV (1926), i.