Event Comment: A new Serious Opera [1st time; SER 3, by
Pietro Metastasio; a pasticcio]. The Music by
Bertoni and other eminent Masters [
Myslivecek,
Monza,
Sarti]. '
Pacchierotti, who on this night made his 1st appearance in
London, was] conscious that the chief delight of singing,
and his own supreme excellence, lay in touching expression,
and exquisite pathos...As an actor, with many disadvantages of person, for he was tall
and awkward in his figure,
and his features were plain, he was nevertheless forcible
and impressive: for he felt warmly, had excellent judgment,
and was an enthusiast in his profession. His recitative was inimitably fine, so that even those who did not underst
and the language could not fail to comprehend, from his countenance, voice,
and action, every sentiment he expressed" (
Mount-Edgcumbe, pp.24-25)