Event Comment: Incledon continuing Hoarse, the new Comic Opera of The Turnpike Gate [advertised on playbill of 6 Nov.] is necessarily obliged to be postponed [see 14 Nov.]. "[Mrs Pope's] whole soul seems to be engrossed with the study of attitudes and postures; how to display to the best advantage a genteel shape...Her very looks are artificial, and betray an excess of female vanity" (Dramatic Censor I, 11). Receipts: #337 13s. (333.11.6; 4.1.6)

Event Comment: "The bombardment of the fortv, at the conclusion of the Opera, went off better than on the preceding night. Of course, the thunder of guns and mortars, with the suffocating smoke, stench and vapour which pervaded every part of the house rouzed the audience from a state of lethargy and torpor...and the curtain dropped with less opposition and reprobation than on the preceding night" (Dramatic Censor, I, 350). Receipts: #342 11s. (267.17.6; 74.4.6; 0.9.0)

Event Comment: A Serious Opera; the music by Bianchi

Event Comment: Mr Salomon having insinuated that he alone is in possession of a correct Score of this celebrated Oratorio, I feel compelled, in justice to myself, to state that the Oratorio was published by subscription at Vienna, and that the printed Copy, from which I had the Parts transcribed, was delivered by Dr Haydn to a subscriber in Vienna, and brought from thence expressly for me, and on which is the Doctor's initials. The accuracy with which it was performed, and the enthusiasm with which it was received, are, I hope, convincing proofs that no other directions are necessary to "produce the effect required by the Author." I should not thus have obtruded myself, but I conceived it requisite to justify myself from the imputation of having attempted to impose a spurious production upon that public to whom I am under so many obligations. I am, with the greatest respect and gratitude, their most obedient servant, John Ashley. March 29. [On 29 Mar. the following card had appeared in most of the daily newspapers: Mr Salomon having received from Dr Haydn an early Copy of his New Oratorio called The Creation of the World, and having been favoured by him exclusively with particular directions on the style and manner in which it must be executed, in order to produce the effects required by the Author, begs to acquaint the Nobility and Gentry, that he means to perform it on Monday, the 21st of April next, at the King's Theatre. The performance took place on that date in the Ancient Music Room, i.e. the large concert-room situated inside the King's, on the east side, level with the first tier of the boxes. The reason for this change was, states the playbill, "the present Performances in the Opera House not allowing sufficient time to erect an Orchestra on the Stage." The principal singers were Mme Mara, Mme Dussek, Small, Page, Denman, Bartleman. Samuel Wesley presided at the organ and at the piano forte.

Event Comment: Benefit for Sga Bossi DelCaro. 2nd ballet: 1st time; composed for the occasion by Dupret; the music by Bossi, composer and leader of the Band at the Opera House. Of Age To-morrow [advertised on playbill of 30 May] is obliged to be deferred on account of the indisposition of Bannister Jun. Morning Chronicle, 30 May: Tickets to be had of Sga Bossi DelCaro, No. 1, Great Suffolk-street, Charing-cross. Receipts: #327 5s. (212.10.0; 61.13.6; 2.18.0; tickets: 50.3.6) (charge: #215 13s. 7d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Humane Society. A new grand Commemorative Oratorio [1st time; in two parts], as originally performed by Busby, in aid of the Fund for the Naval Pillar, including the new Music [by Busby: Song and Chorus, From where the sun; Song, To thy brave sons; Recitative and Song, Peace to the soul, Around the ever-honoured urn], introduced in the Grand National Concert, performed the 28th of May, at the Opera House. Leader of the Band-Cramer. Organ-Russell. The performance to be conducted by Busby, who will preside at the Piano Forte. Tickets, at playhouse prices, to be had at all the principal music shops...and of Busby, No. 9, China Terrace, Vauxhall Road. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00. "The words [of Part I] are taken entirely from Gray's well-known Pindaric Ode, The Progress of Poesy," with six introductory lines written by John Gretton andthe concluding stanzas by Thomas Dutton; the text of Part II by Gretton (Dramatic Censor, II, 285-86)

Event Comment: 2nd piece: A New Comic Opera (1st time [in London; 1st performed at Venice, 1794]); the Music by Portogallo