Event Comment: A new Serious Opera (1st time [in
London; 1st performed at
Venice, 1781]); the music by
Sarti, under the direction of
Mazzinghi. "At length in the spring arrived the celebrated
Marchesi, whose fame had long reached this country,
and who had been extolled to such a degree that impatience
and expectation were raised to the highest pitch;
and on the first night of his appearance the theatre was not only crowed to the utmost in every part, but on the rising of the curtain, the stage was so full of spectators that it was some time before order
and silence could be obtained,
and with some difficulty that Marchesi, who was to open the opera, could make his way before the audience. Marchesi was at this time a very well-looking young man, of good figure,
and graceful deportment. His acting was spirited
and expressive: his vocal powers were very great, his voice of extensive compass, but a little inclined to be thick (
Mount-Edgcumbe, 66-67). Receipts: #437 15s. 6d., i.e. 560 tickets delivered to
Prendergrass [see 8 Dec. 1787], who sold 558; 110 to
Toosey, who sold 86; 400 to
Butler, who sold 285; 236 to
Snelson, who sold 204. Total non-subscription tickets sold: 1133