Event Comment: [Puff for
the afterpiece]: As this Pastoral was not originally designed for
the theatre, it is thought proper to give
the public some account of it, and by what means it has now found its way to
the stage.
The Chorusses and Airs were selected from
Mr Handel, and several o
ther eminent masters, by a gentleman whose taste and knowledge in music is perhaps his least merit. Having conceived
the design of a musical entertainment of this miscellaneous nature he found himself oblig'd...to connect
them [
the airs] by a Recitative of his own composition: This naturally produced a kind of a little drama, and
the ease and elegance of
the whole is
the more to be admired when it is considered that
the words were of necessity composed in perfect subservience to
the music.
The piece has been several times performed at
Salisbury and greatly admired by many of
the first Rank.
The author, upon
Mr Norris being engaged at
the theatre, was applied to for leave to bring it on
the stage, to which he has most obligingly given his consent. [Cast given] After an agreeable Overture,
the curtain rises and discovers a rural scene, and a troop of nymphs and shepherds assembled to celebrate
the Spring.
Their rejoicings open with a grand cheerful chorus. We cannot say enough of
the taste and execution of
Mr Vernon and
Miss Young in this scene.
The united sprightliness and simplicity of
the duet was truly admirable. [Song given, followed by a brief description of
the parting of
the shepherds,
the announcement of Peace so
they won't have to part, and special commendation for
the various songs of
Mr Vincent, and Mr Norris.] We will venture to prophesy that it will be more and more admired at every representation; though perhaps it may not fall in with
the Taste of
the Groundlings, who, like
Polonius, are for a
Jig or a Tale of Bawdry, or they sleep (
Public Advertiser)