Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; DO 3, by
Prince Hoare, based on
Didone Abbandonata, by
Pietro Metastasio]: The Musick is chiefly new, and composed by
Storace. The Selections are made from the most celebrated works of
Salieri,
Paer,
Rampini,
Sacchini,
Sarti,
Giordani,
Cimarosa,
Schuster,
Andreozzi. The Scenery and Machinery designed by
Greenwood and executed by himself and his Pupils. The Dresses of the
Tyrians,
Trojans and
Africans entirely new, and taken from the most accurate descriptions of the Habits of their respective Nations. [Both
Miss Barclay and
Master Welsh had 1st appeared at the
king's oratorios, 24 Feb.]. "A
procession was introduced in which an
Ostrich, a
Dromedary and an
Elephant marched to slow music. The
Masque, which concluded the opera, was some insipid stuff about
Neptune and
Nereids, with a representation of the
Temple of Neptune. Young Welsh sang prettily in this said Masque" (
Morning Herald, 24 May). "[
Mara] retained only one song of her
Didone [see
king's, 14 Feb. 1786]; the brilliant bravura,
Son Regina, of
Sacchini" (
Mount-Edgcumbe, 80).
Morning Herald, 28 May 1792: This Day is published
Dido (price not listed). Receipts: #244 8s. 6d(213.14.5; 28.15.0; 1.19.0)