Event Comment: Rich's Company.
The date of
the premiere is not known, but
the fact that
the play was advertised in
the Post Boy, 12-16 Dec. 1695, suggests that it was probably first acted not later than November 1695.
The edition of 1696 mentions two songs and
their performers:
A lass there lives upon the green,
the words by an unknown hand, set by
Courteville, and sung by
the Boy to
Miss Cross; and
Bright Cynthia's pow'r divinely great, words by
Mr Cheek, set by
Courtevill, sung by
Leveridge.
These two songs are also in
Deliciae Musicae,
The Fourth Book, 1696, as is a third,
Celemene, pray tell me, set by
Henry Purcell and sung by
the Boy and
Girl.
The words were written by
D'Urfey; and
the Boy presumably was
Bowen, and
the Girl,
Miss Cross. See
Purcell's Works,
Purcell Society, XXI (1917), v-vi.
A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 19:
Sullen:
Oronooko.
Ramble: Oh!
the Favourite of
the Ladies. Sullen: It had indeed uncommon Success, and
the Quality of both Sexes were very kind to
the Play, and to
the Poet: No doubt it has Merit, particularly
the last Scene; but 'tis as certain, that
the Comick Part is below that Author's usual Genius. Ramble: I have a particular regard for
Mr Southern's Stile and agreeable Manner;
there's a Spirit of Conversation in every thing he writes. Sullen: I think very few exceed him in
the Dialogue; his Gallantry is natural, and after
the real manner of
the Town; his acquaintance with
the best Company entered him into
the secrets of
their Intrigues, and no Man knew better
the Way and Disposition of Mankind. But yet I must say, his Diction is commonly
the best part of him, especially in Comedy; but in Tragedy he has once in this, and in one o
ther, Drawn
the Passions very well