1716
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Yet Burlington’s fair Palace still remains; Beauty within, without Proportion reigns. Beneath his Eye declining Art revives, The Wall with animated Picture lives; [45] There Hendel strikes the Strings, the melting Strain Transports the Soul, and thrills through ev’ry Vein; There oft’ I enter (but with cleaner Shoes) For Burlington’s belov’d by ev’ry Muse.[1] |
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[Giuseppe Riva to Muratori, 31 January 1716] The Abate Rolli has arrived here from Rome with the brother of Lord Stair, a fine poet and a wonderful improviser, whom I knew [431] well in Rome. We are delighted to meet each other once more over here.[2] |
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AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, to Morrow, being Thursday, the 16th of February, will be perform’d an Opera call’d, Amadis. With all the New Scenes, Machines and Cloathes belonging to this Opera. The Part of Oriana to be perform’d by Mrs. Robinson. The Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be deliver’d out to Morrow, at Mrs. White’s Chocolate- House in St. James’s-street, and at the Theatre, at Half a Guinea each. The Number not to exceed 400. Boxes upon the Stage 15 s. The Gallery 2 s. 6 d.[3] |
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This Day seven-night the King came to the Play-House in the Hay-Market, and saw the Opera acted, call’d, Amadis, where were present a great Number of the Nobility.[4] |
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The 13 March 1715[/6] Pray pay Mr. Phillip Cooke my Dividend being Fifteen pounds on Five hundred pounds wch. is all my Stock in the South Sea Company books & for half a Year due at Christmas last & this shall be Your Sufficieent Warrant from. Sr. Your very humb Servt. George Frideric Handel[5] |
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By Command. AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, to Morrow, being Saturday, the 14th of April, will be perform’d an Opera call’d, Amadis. With all the New Scenes, Machines, and Cloaths, belonging to this Opera. The part of Oriana to be perform’d by Mrs. Robinson. Boxes 8 s. Pit 5 s. Gallery 2 s. 6 d. Boxes upon the Stage half a Guinea. By Command, to begin at Six a-Clock.[6] |
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By Command. For the Benefit of the Instrumental Musick. AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this present Wednesday, being the 20th of June, will be perform’d an Opera call’d, Amadis. With all the Scenes and Cloaths, belonging to this Opera: Particularly, the Fountain-Scene. To which will be added, Two New Symphonies. The Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered out at the Theatre in the Hay-Market, this Day, at Half a Guinea each, where Attendance will be given. Boxes upon the Stage 15 s. The Gallery 2 s. 6 d. By Command, to begin at Six a-Clock.[7] |
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[Handel’s handwritten note] Sir What Ever my Dividend Is on five hundred pounds South Sea Stock that the South Sea Company pays att the opening of their Books next August pray pay Itt To Mr. Thomas Carbonnel or order and you will oblidge. Sir Your H Servt. George Frideric Hande[l] London this 29 June 1716[8] |
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AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this present Thursday, being the 12th of July, will be perform’d an Opera call’d, Amadis. To which will be added a New Symphony, Compos’d by the Famous Signor Atilio Ariosti; in which he performs upon a New Instrument call’d, Viola D’Amour. Boxes 8 s. Pit 5 s. Gallery 2 s. 6 d. Boxes upon the Stage Half a Guinea. By Command, to begin at Six a-Clock.[9] |
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Friedrich Bonet, Prussian Resident in London, to the King of Prussia |
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Sire … Aprés le diné Elle [Sa Majesté] se promenait seule dans le jardin de St. James, où Elle se rendait chez la duchesse de Munster, et le soir au cercle de madame la princesse jusqu à minuit, ou bien à l’opéra où Elle se rendait dans une chaise de louage uncognito dans une loge particulière; ou chez Madame de Kilmanseck; ou bien Elle soupait avec le grand Marechal, l’Abbé Conti et autres; et il arrivoit très rarement que ses Ministres d’Etat Lui parlassent les après dines.… Sire, de Vôtre Majesté Le très humble, trèes obeissant, et très fidelle Serviteur Frid. Bonet A Londres mardi 17/28 Juillet 1716[10] |
London, Tuesday 17th–28th July 1716. … After dinner he [His Majesty] would take a walk alone in the gardens of St. James’ or call on the Duchess of Munster; in the evening he would be at the Princess [of Wales’] salon until midnight, or at the opera, to which he went incognito in a hired chaise and sat in a private box.[11] |
[1] John Gay, Trivia: Or, The Art of Walking the Streets of London (London: Bernard Lintott, [1716]), 44–45; announced in The Flying-Post: Or, the Post-Master, nr. 3753, Saturday 21–Tuesday 24 January 1716, [2].
[2] R. A. Streatfeild, “Handel, Rolli, and Italian Opera in London in the Eighteenth Century,” The Musical Quarterly 3 (1917), 428-45: 430-31.
[3] The Daily Courant, nr. 4469, Thursday 16 February 1716, [2].
[4] The Weekly Packet, nr. 192, Saturday 3 – Saturday 10 March 1716, [2].
[5] [William Coxe], Anecdotes of George Frederick Handel, and John Christopher Smith (London: W. Bulmer, 1799), extra-illustrated copy, Foundling Museum, Gerald Coke Handel Collection, accession no. 800, p. <1.
[6] The Daily Courant, nr. 4518, Friday 13 April 1716, [2].
[7] The Daily Courant, nr. 4576, Wednesday 20 June 1716, [2].
[8] facs., Flower, 312/13.
[9] The Daily Courant, nr. 4595, Thursday 12 July 1716, [2].
[10] Händel Handbuch, 70–71.
[11] Deutsch, 72.