Event Comment: The Characters New Dressed. Play never acted before. [See Three Original Letters to a Friend in the Country on the Cause and Manner of the late Riot at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. See also two letters in The Theatrical Review; or, Annals of the Drama, 1 March 1763. This number includes (pp. 117-25) a critique on the Discovery. Critic found it a piece of much merit particularly in the perusal," but on stage frequently tedious and heavy owing to a scarcity of incident and an uncommon lengthening of the acts."

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. [Sga Spagnolla had been ill and missed a number of performances. For singers and dancers see following letter.] Sir: I am one of those to whom an Oratorio or an Opera (whether Italian or English) gives exquisite delight; and am therefore glad that, as the town is now full, those entertainments will, very probably, be crowded; and thus amply repay the several managers, for the great risk they run, as to their property, as well as for the vast pains they take to amuse us; for the labour employed, on those occasions, is infinitely greater than is usually imagined. The Italian opera has suffered considerably, this season, by the inability of Sga Spagnoli to exert her musical talents, owing to a most severe cold; but as she has now recovered her voice, 'tis presumed that she will be a source of as great pleasure, among us, to persons of a musical ear, and who have a true taste for that species of dramas, as she was in her native country, where she was always heard with great applause. I myself find great charms in the entertainments, as now exhibiting at the King's Theatre: for, besides Sga Spagnoli's taste I do not perceive the least diminution in Sg Elisi's voice or action, both of which pleased us so much two or three years ago. Ciprandi appears to me a fine player as well as singer; and with regard to Sg Savoi, he is generally thought to have a pleasing voice. [Comments on competence of the Orchestra.] The principal dancers are likewise acknowledged to have considerable merit. The gracefulness and the ease of Sg Adriani are very pleasing, as is the elegant agility of Sga Fabris Monari....Sg Sodi has so often diverted us by his compositions as Ballet master that it were superfluous to bestow any encomiums on him in this place. [Long comment on agreeable performance of Sofonisba, Scenery, etc. A puff by Musidorus in Public Advertiser.

Event Comment: VViscomica to the Printer of the Public Advertiser: As burlettas have been laid aside some years, and they are a species of entertainment I am particularly fond of, as there is vivacity in the music, and great humour and satire in the performance, I was much pleased with the thoughts of being as well entertained as I had heretofore been; and more so when I found I could gain admittance to so good a place for hearing, for the trifling sum of three shillings; a place in which I never dared to shew my face before, not being on a footing with the riotous company that used to be admitted there, to attend their several masters' call; a nuisance, from which I rejoice the managers have at length, after so many hints and solcitations, found out a method to deliver their audience. I remember to have seen a darkish way down a flight of steps to a dismal winding staircase, which I was told led to the footman's gallery, and, supposing that the road I was to take on this occasion, was very agreeably undeceived by being shewn up about halfway to the five shilling gallery, and by a turn through an arch introduced to a new and convenient staircase leading to this region of the gods, where I was surprised to find myself arrived before I thought I was half-way up. The managers have indeed made this place very neat and commodious, by rendering the descent much less steep, lowering and matting the benches, painting and lighting the whole place; so that I found myself as much at my ease there, as in any other part of the house, and much better situated than I had expected; likewise, by their following Mr Garrick's example, in removing the pendant lustres, and lighting after the foreign manner, you have a full view of the whole stage; by which the magnificance appears greatly increased. The performance was beyond my expectations, as I think the performers excel any in their way which have appeared in this country; but I need not expatiates upon a subject the town in general have been, or I dare say will be, as good judges of as yours, &c