Event Comment: LLord Wentworth to the Earl of Strafford, 19 Jan.: We was at Covent Garden Play House last night, my mother was so good as to treat us with it, and the Dragon of Wantcliff was the farce. I like it vastly and the musick is excessive pretty, and tho it is a burlesque on the operas yet Mr Handel owns he thinks the tunes very well composed....and it has been acted 36 times already and they are always pretty full. The poor operas I doubt go on but badly, for tho every body praises both Cafferielli and the opera yet it has never been full, and if it is not now at first it will be very empty towards the latter end of the winter.--Wentworth Papers, p. 539

Event Comment: The King's Opera House in the Haymarket. A new Opera...Dances and other Decorations entirely New. Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be deliver'd this Day, at the Office in the Haymarket, at Half a Guinea each. Gallery 5s. By His Majesty's Command, no Persons Whatever to be admitted behind the Scenes. The Gallery will be open'd at Four o'Clock. Pit and Boxes at Five. To begin at Six o'clock. This Day Attendance will be given at the Opera-Office from Nine to One in order to deliver the Silver Tickets to the Subscribers. Each Subscriber is desir'd to send his printed Receipt, it being necessary for the Delivery of the Tickets [customary notice on the bills throughout the season]. BBurney, History of Music, IV, 445: A pasticcio, music mainly composed by Galuppi, now the resident composer for the Opera House. Edition lists libretto by Francesco Vanneschi

Event Comment: A New Opera [a pasticcio, Metastasio text altered by Rolli, form Pergolesi's Olimpiade, 1735 (Loewenberg, Annals of Opera, I, 183)]. Music by Pergolesi, Scarlatti, Lampugnani. L. Leo, F. Leo [libretto in L. C.]. Two of the principal Performers being greatly indispos'd, the Dancers are oblig'd to be deferr'd. Thomas Gray to John Chute, 24 May: Our fifth Opera was the Olimpiade, in which they retain'd most of Pergolesi's Songs & yet 'tis gone already, as if it had been a poor thing of Galuppi's. Two nights did I enjoy it all alone, snugg in a Nook in the Gallery, but found no one in those regions had ever heard of Pergolesi, nay, I heard several affirm it was a Composition of Pescetti's.-Gray, Correspondence, I, 203

Event Comment: The Subscribers to the Opera are desir'd to send their Silver Tickets on Saturday next, and the three succeeding Days of Performance, to the Opera Office, where a Half Guinea Ticket extraordinary will be delivered to each, or a proportionable Part of Money return'd as Equivalent for four representations, which the Season already too far advanced, cannot admit of being exhibited, thro' the absolute Necessity there was of postponing the proper Time of beginning the Opera. Forty-Two Representations are past

Event Comment: The Subscribers to the Opera are desired to take notice, that upon Saturday Morning Next, there will be a general Rehearsal of the New Opera call'd Anibale in Capua, upon the stage of the king's Theatre in the Hay Market, agreeable to the printed proposals. The Doors will be open'd at Ten, and the Rehearsal will begin at eleven precisely. No person whatever to be admitted without a subscriber's ticket. Attendance will be given this and every Day 'till the Operas begin, at the Office in the Haymarket, from ten in the Morning, till three in the Afternoon, in order to take in Subscriptions, and deliver out tickets.--General Advertiser

Event Comment: A Comic Opera. Tickets at half a Guinea. [Latilla's comic opera; but music for this production by Pietro Auletta. See Loewenberg, Annals of Opera, Cols. 187-88.] Books will be delivered this morning at Mrs Sylvester's (Daily Advertiser)

Event Comment: PPublic Advertiser: Mr Vanneschi begs leave to inform the Nobility and Gentry, that a Licence being granted to him from the Lord Chamberlain's office, with his Majesty's most gracious Approbation, for exhibiting Italian operas at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket, Subscriptions for the ensuing Season will be taken in by Mess. Drummond and Co., Bankers at Charing Cross. He humbly desires his Protectors and Subscribers, to oblige him with an early Payment of their Subscription Money, in order that he may be able to give the necessary Securities to Sga Colomba Mattei, and to Sg Pasquale Potenza, as also to the Rest of his Singers and Dancers. It being given out that Mr Vanneschi hath not engaged the Use of the Opera House for the ensuing Season of Operas, it is hereby certified, that the Proprietor thereof hath agreed with Mr Vanneschi for the same. Sign'd by order of the Proprietor. Peter Crawford, Treasurer of said Theatre

Event Comment: The last Night of the Subscription. A New Opera. Music by Cocchi. N.B. The opera will be continued for a few nights more for the benefit of actors and actresses. [The opera next season to be under Signora Mattei.

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 Comic Opera, music by several celebrated Composers. With new Cloaths, new Decorations, and new Dances. Pit and Boxes put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered that Day, at half a Guinea each. Gallery 5s. By Their Majesties Command no Persons whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes, nor into the Orchestra. Gallery, Pit and Boxes will be opened at Five; To begin at 6:30. [Prices, terms of admission, and time repeated in subsequent bills.] Subscription Money to be paid to Andrew Drummond and Co. Bankers, or to Mr Crawford, Treasurer, for Silver t ickets. Signor Giardini the principal serious singer has arrived, and serious opera will begin as soon as possible (Public Advertiser). [Signora Mattei was again the promoter of Operas this season; Crawford the Treasurer.

Event Comment: Books of the Opera to be sold at the Theatre. Nothing under FULL PRICE can be taken. Opera not perform'd this season. [A riot this night in which the benches were torn up. Led by Fitzpatrick against the abolishment of the custom of admitting at half-price after the third act. See previous disturbance at Drury Lane. No more plays at cg until 3 March 1763 while repairs were being made to theatre. See Gentleman's Magazine, Feb. 1763, Historical Chronicle, Th. 24: A riot happened at Covent Garden theatre occasioned by a demand being made for full prices at the opera Artaxerxes. The mischief done was the greatest ever known on any occasion of the like kind; all the benches of the boxes and Pit being entirely tore up, the glasses and chandeliers broken, and the linings of the Boxes cut to pieces. The rashness of the rioters was so great, that they cut aWay the wooden pillars between the Boxes, so that if the inside of them had not been iron, they would have brought down the Galleries upon their heads. The damages done amount to at least #2000. Four persons concern'd in the riot have been committed to the gatehouse. The Beauties of All Magazines Selected, for March 1763 (p. 142) reprinted from the Ledger a humorous account of this riot as told by a sailor in fabricated seaman's language: As soon as the foresheet was clewed up...As to my 5s., why the owners are welcome to it towards repair, for you stripp'd plank, timbers, and scantlings,-you gutted her; she look'd like a French prize, after a yard-arm engagement."

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. The great concourse of people at this theatre before the usual time of opening the doors, having been so great as to overpower the persons who were placed to receive the tickets; and as many were forced into the Theatre without an opportunity of paying for their admittance, Mr Giardini is under the greatest concern lest offence should be taken by those not being able to get in, who had sent for tickets to this office. He has given orders that those tickets shall be admitted tomorrow, as the opera of Siroe (by particular desire) is to be performed (Public Advertiser, 23 Jan.). [Pickpockets, including one former soldier, took three diamond earrings, and one hair-ornament set with brilliants, from members of the audience on this night (Daily Advertiser). Found, a new Silver Sword in the Opera House Lobby on S. 21 Jan.; the Owner, by describing the Sword-Knot, may, on applying to the Orange-Woman at the House, have it restored (Daily Advertiser, 24 Jan.).] Lost on going to the Opera a Brilliant Diamond Cross composed of nine brilliants, by Lord Conyngham. Reward of 10 Guineas for Return (Public Advertiser, 23 Jan.)

Event Comment: Books of the opera to be had at the Theatre. Opera performed By Particular Desire

Event Comment: Twenty-sixth Night. Send serv'ts by 3 p.m. Books o Opera at Theatre. Last time of performing this opera till after Easter

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Young. Afterpiece: Not acted in 20 years. Music by Dr Arne. [See John Lockman's Reflections concerning Operas, &c." in his introduction to his edition of Rosalinda (London, 1760), p. iv: 'A gentleman, well known for his musical compositions, is of opinion, that the reason why the Opera Rosamond tho' adorned with all the graces of lyric poetry, does not please from the stage, so much as might be expected, is owing to a circumstance that forms a beauty in the drama itself; I mean the suppos'd poisoning of Rosamond at the end of the second act, and her appearing no more upon the stage. Whilst this sheet was at press, I was told that Mr Arne has reduc'd this opera into one act, and set the whole anew; and so managed matters, that Rosamond appears throughout the whole drama. Tis said that the music of this new Rosamond is as delightful as that of another performance of Mr Arne's which now affords the town so agreeable an Entertainment."

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. A new serious Opera. Pit and Boxes put together and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day, at the Office, at Half a Guinea each. Gallery 5s. By their Majesties Command no Persons whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes or in the Orchestra. Gallery, Pit and Boxes to be opened at Five. 6:30 p.m. [Repeated in the subsequent bills.] Messrs Crawford, Vincent, and Gordon most humbly request that the Nobility and Gentry, Subscribers to the Operas for the ensuing Season, will please send their Subssciptions to Andrew Drummond and Co., Bankers at Charing Cross; or to Crawford, at the theatre, where attendance will be given every day from Ten to Two, to receive Subscriptions, and the names of the Subscribers who are pleased to honor the Managers with their Protection to enable them to get the Tickets engraved before the Operas begin (Public Advertiser through October and November)

Event Comment: A new Comic Opera. The Music composed by several celebrated Composers. All Boxes put together, and no Persons admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day at the Office at Half a Guinea each; First Gallery 5s. Second Gallery 3s. By His Majesties Command no Person whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes or into the Orchestra. 6:30 p.m. Vivant Rex et Regina. [Repeated in all bills.] [A pasticchio similar to La Schiava (The Humorists). See Nicoll, III, 361. Advertisement for the company of performers at the Opera had been given in the Public Advertiser three months earlier, 6 August: 'Drummond, Vincent and Gordon,Proprietors and Managers of the Opera at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket beg leave to announce that they have engaged the best Company that could be got in Italy...and are expected in London this month. The company are as follows: Serious-the celebrated Guarducci, first man; Signora Aunuciati, first woman; Savoi, second man; Miss Young, second woman; Grassi, Signora Piatti, third woman. Comic-Lovattini, first man, tenor; Signora Zamperini, first woman; Savoi, first man, serious; Miss Young, first woman; Signor Moriggi (the old man) bass; Signora Piatti, second woman; Zamperini second man; Signora Gibbetti [Gibelli in the Gazetteer] third woman."

Event Comment: Half past 5 went to the 5s. Gallery at the Opera House to see the comic opera La Buona Figliola, altered from Goldoni. The Music by Sg Nic Piccini, a Neopolitan composer. The Marq by Sg Lovatini, Castina by Sga Zamporini, the German by Sg Marigi. These I believe are reckoned the best of the company. I can't say I was greatly entertained, tho the music is very pleasing. There is something very absurd and truly characteristic of the present age in supporting a set of people at an immense expense to perform plays in a language which very few here understand. We had dances after every act by Sg Adriani, Sga Radicati, &c. It is said the dances at the opera are better than those at the theatres, but I am no great judge either of music or dancing. The scenes, particularly that of the Garden with waterworks &c. are very fine. They who go into the Pit &c. must be in a vile French dress (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: [C$Crawford announced his withdrawal from proprietorship of Operas at the close of this season, and requested all creditors to present their accounts to the opera office on the days of the performance to settle before the books be closed. Messrs Vincent and Gordon to continue Operas on their own account thereafter.

Event Comment: [Messrs Vincent and Gordon beg the Nobility and Gentry that intend honouring them with their protection the ensuing season of Opera will pay their subscriptions to Messrs Drummonds, Bankers, Charing Cross. The subscription is for 50 nights only. A letter from Timotheus in the Public Advertiser: "I repeatedly see in your paper an advertisement from the managers of the opera to solicit subscriptions from the Nobility and Gentry to enable them to carry it on. Surely, from the specimin they have already given us of their performance in the serious way, never had managers less claim to the countenance and favour of the public. In the whole company but one voice, and that just tolerable and no more; compared indeed to the rest a nightengale. Then, Sir, for their dancers, they seem so perfectly so well suited to the singers, that 't is difficult to pronounce to which of them the palm should be allotted. For the Figurers, one only excepted, they seem in that article to have paid a due attention to their want of every Talent requisite, by reducing them to so small a number that they look like so many mice scudding about an empty barn. In short, Singers, Dancers, Figurers, Cloaths, Decorations, etc., etc., are all so much of a piece, that if the directors either can't or won't engage better performers, the sooner an end is put to the exhibition of Operas the better it will be." See comment in reply, 8 Nov.

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; BO 3]: Being the Sequel to The Beggar's Opera, Written by Gay, with Alterations [by George Colman elder; the overture (a compilation of airs from The Beggar's Opera) and 6 new airs by Samuel Arnold]. Books of the Opera to be had at the Theatre. [Mrs Colles is identified on playbill of 9 July.] Public Advertiser, 20 June: This Day is published Polly (1s.)

Event Comment: A new Comic Opera in 2 acts; the new Music composed by Anfossi. Books of the Opera to be had at the Theatre

Event Comment: A new Comic Opera [1st time; com 2, by Filippo Livigni, with alterations by Antonio Andrei]: The Music entirely new by Bertoni. [Bartolini was from the Opera, Milan.] The Music and Orchestra under the direction of Giardini. New Scenes and Decorations by Novosielski. Entirely new dresses by Lupino. Pit 10s. 6d. 1st Gallery 5s. 2nd Gallery 3s. By Command of Their Majesties no Persons to be admitted behind the Scenes. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin exactly at 7:00 [same throughout season]. To prevent inconvenience to the Nobility and Gentry in getting to their carriages, they are most respectfully intreated to give positive orders to their servants to set down and take up with their horses' heads towards Pall-mall. The Door in Market-lane for Chairs only. Subscription tickets will be admitted every Opera Night (Benefits excepted) during the Season

Event Comment: A Serious Opera in 2 acts (1st time [by Pietro Metastasio]); the Music selected from the most eminent Composers by and under the direction of Cherubini. [Crescentini was from the Opera, Lucca; Sga Ferrarese from the Opera, Turin.]