Event Comment: Advertised but postponed by illness of Signora Francesina

Event Comment: Benefit Signora Maria Monza, 7p.m. 5s

Event Comment: Masque: By Particular Desire. The Gentlemen's Magazine for Jan. 1742 (p. 28) in an article On Two Italian Dancers comments rather fully on the Fausans' performance in Le Boufon; or the Idiot: My expectation was rais'd to the height but at their entrance on the stage, they alarm'd me by the inexpressive Agility and descriptive Action, Look and Motion, which were all performed With such mimic Variety, that I defy the most severe Cynic to say that they wou'd not at least raise in him an agreeable surprise, to see all the attitudes, Oddities and mock Gesticulations of the two Idiots, who may be suppos'd to be in Love with one another. It is not any distortion of Body or unnatural transposition of the limbs which they exhibit to the view, but the extravagant Idiotry which the passions of Love, Disdain, Joy, Resentment, would on a real occasion actuate on the personages they represent: Nor do they so manage their Dance that it is ungraceful: they take opportunities to show by actions and movements, that in their comic Humour they have an elegancy. This performance therefore, on Reflection, appear'd to me, instead of an unnatural extravaganza to be founded on the nicest Observations of Human Nature, and prove Signor and Signora to be persons of good judgment, as well as agility. Receipts: #80

Event Comment: By Command of their Royal Highnesses the Duke, and the Princesses Amelia, Caroline, and Louisa. Benefit Signora Fausan. Part of the Pit will be rail'd in, and added to the front boxes. Tickets and places in the Boxes to be had only of Mr West, at the Green Door in Duke St., Lincoln's Inn Fields; and for the Stage, of Mrs Moor, at the Sign of the Theatre in the Playhouse Passage. Receipts: #160. Rylands MS.: Duke &c attended

Event Comment: By Desire. Daily Advertiser, 23 Dec.: On Saturday night last, at Covent Garden Playhouse, one William Wright, a young Man, who was in the Shilling Gallery, disapproving of Signora Domitilla's Dancing between the second the Third Acts, was without any Provocation, kick'd, beat, and abus'd etc

Event Comment: HHandel to Jennens: I have taken the Opera House in the Hay-marketh, engaged, as Singers, Signora Francesina, Miss Robinson, Beard, Reinhold, Mr Gates with his Boyes's and several of the best Chorus Singers from the Choirs, and I have some hopes that Mrs Cibber will sing for me. She sent word from Bath (where she is now) that she would perform for me next winter with great pleasure if it did not interfere with her playing, but I think I can obtain Mr Riches's permission (with whom she is engaged to play in Covent Garden House) since so obligingly he gave leave to Mr Beard and Mr Reinhold.--Deutsch Handel, pp. 591-92

Event Comment: Benefit Signora Frasi

Event Comment: [Handel paid Miss Robinson #210; on 11 May he paid Signora Franchesina #400. See Deutsch, Handel, 618-19.

Event Comment: Benefit Signora Campioni. Mainpiece: At the Particular Desire of several Persons of Quality

Event Comment: This Day open'd for the Summer Season at the New Wells, Shepherd's Market [near Hyde Park corner]...the usual Diversions after which will be presented Gratis, etc. The Doors to be open'd each day at Two o'Clock. We hear, that the Opera La Semiramide Reconosciuta (in which Signora Cassarini is to act the part of a King) will be performed but twice (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: Benefit Signora Frasi

Event Comment: Benefit for Signora Galli

Event Comment: Benefit for Signora Frasi

Event Comment: Benefit for Signora Cuzzoni, since I am "involved in a few debts, before I quit England." At Hickford's Room, Brewer St. To begin at seven Price: 10s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit for Signora Bugiani. Two rows of the Pit will be rail'd into the boxes

Event Comment: Oratorio by Mr Handel. Benefit for Signora Frasi; To begin at 7 p.m. Prices: Pit and Boxes at half a guinea each; Gallery 5s

Event Comment: Benefit for Signora Nicolina Giordani [By Command of] the Duke and Princess Amelia (Cross). The Manager of Covent Garden being under a necessity of interrupting the run of the new Tragedy of Philoclea by a Command, and a Benefit for Sga Nicolina Giordini (which was settled before the coming out of that play) has been so obliging as to give the Author the choice of a day for his second benefit; and many of his friends having taken places for Tuesday, as that would have been his sixth night in course, the Author, lest they should be disappointed, has chosen Tuesday for his second benefit

Event Comment: A New Comic Opera presented by Mr Giordani, with his Company, and La Signora Spiletta

Event Comment: Benefit for Ricciarelli. [Il Demofoonte had originally been advertised (24 Feb.) for this Benefit; deferred because of Signora Mingotti's illness.

Event Comment: Benefit for Signora Frasi

Event Comment: At the Haberdashers Hall, Maiden Lane. For the Benefit of the City of London Lying-in Hospital, in Aldersgate St. Tickets Half a Guinea. To begin at 6 p.m. [Postponed from 2 Dec. because of indisposition of Signora Frasi.

Event Comment: Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day, at the said Office at Half a Guinea each. Gallery 5s. By His Majesty's Command, No Person will be admitted behind the Scenes. To begin at 6:30 p.m. Great care is taken to keep the House warm. [Repeated in the subesquent bills. Signora Mingotti appears to be the promoter this year.