1722
Jan 9
|
The Court of Directors of the Royal Academy of Musick do hereby
give further Notice, That (pursuant to an Order of the
General Court holden the 20th of December last) they
have ordered another Call of Five per Cent. which is the
Eighth Call from each Subscriber, payable on or before
the 15th Instant; and that the Deputy Treasurer is to attend
at the Opera Office in the Hay-market on the 12th, 13th,
and 15th Instant, as aforesaid, in order to receive the
same.[1] |
Feb 15
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay- Market, this
present Thursday, being the 15th of February, will be a
RIDOTTO. To begin with an
Entertainment of Musick,
consisting of 24 Songs chosen out of the late Operas, perform’d by
Signor Francisco Bernardi Senesino, Signor Benedetto Baldassari,
Mrs. Anastasia Robinson, and Signora Salvai.
The Remaining
Tickets will be deliver’d this Day, at Mrs. White’s Chocolate-House
in St. James’s-Street, at a Guinea each.
N. B. There can be
no Admittance in the Galleries, they being cover’d as formerly in
the Balls. The Doors to be opened at
Half an Hour after Seven
a Clock at Night. The Coaches are
desired to come to the
Hay-market, and the Chairs up Market-lane from the Pall-Mall.[2] |
Feb 15
On the 15th Instant, we had a new Kind of Entertainment at the Opera House, call’d a Ridotto it was opened [6] with 24 Select Songs, which lasted about two Hours, after which, the Company pass’d over a Bridge, from the Pit to the Stage, where a Duke and Dutchess led up a Ball: The Hours were the same with the Masquerade, and, ’tis thought by most, that the concluding Diversions were the same. Tickets were very reasonable, being but a Guinea each, and for the Benefit of the Ingenious Mr. Heidegger, who has spent his whole Life in contriving pretty Amusements, to ease the British Nobility of the intollerable [sic] Load of Time, and free them from the dull Fatigue of Thinking.[3]
Mar 6
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay- Market, this
present Tuesday, being the 6th of March, will be A
RIDOTTO. To begin with an
Entertainment of Musick, consisting of
several Songs chosen out of the last new Opera’s, and some new
Cantato’s, composed by Signor Bononcini, performed by Signor
Francisco, Bernardi Senesino, Signor Benedetto Baldassari, Mrs.
Anastatia Robinson, and Signora Salvai.
Tickets will be delivered
this Day, at Mrs. White’s Chocolate-House in St. James’s-Street,
and at the Theatre, at One Guinea each.
N. B. The Pit will
be cover’d, and there will be Instruments in two Places. To begin at
Half an Hour after Seven a-Clock. The
Coaches are desired to
come to the Hay-market, and the Chairs up Market- lane from
the Pall-Mall.[4] |
Apr 4
|
For the Benefit of Mr. CHETWOOD, By the Company of Comedians, AT the Theatre Royal in Lincoln’s-Inn- Fields, this
present Wednesday, being the 4th of April, will be presented a
Comedy, call’d, The DRUMMER; or the HAUNTED HOUSE.
Written by the late Mr. ADDISON. [...] With select Pieces of MUSICK between the Acts,
accompany’d with Trumpets, Flutes, German-Flutes, and French Horns;
particularly Mr. Hendel’s Water Musick. [...][5] |
Apr 4
|
New Musick Publish’d, I. The Opera of Floridant [sic], for the Academy Royal,
compos’d by Mr. Handel. [...] Sold by John Walsh, Musick-Printer,
and Instrument-maker to His Majesty, at the Harp in
Catherine-street in the Strand, and John and Joseph Hare at the Golden Viol
in Cornhill near the Royal Exchange.[6] |
Apr 6
|
SIR. J. VANBRUGH TO [LORD CARLISLE]. 1722, April 6, London.—[...] The public diversions here have flourished as if nobody had left the town; the Opera in particular, which confirms me still more that music has taken deep root with us. [...][7] |
|
The Anthem for the Duke of Marlborough’s Funeral is composed by Signior Bononcini; and part of the Burial Service by Dr. Croft, beginning at, Man that is born of a Woman, &c. the Rehearsal whereof was perform’d on Tuesday in King Henry the VII’s Chapel in
Westminster-Abbey; at which were present several Persons of Quality and Distinction, who were highly pleased therewith. The Words are as followeth: 2 Sam. chap. v. ver. 2. When Saul was King over us, thou wast he that leadest out and broughtest
in Israel. The
Lord then said unto thee, Thou shalt be Captain over Israel.———Lev. xxvi. 7. And ye shall chase
your Enemies, and they shall fall before you by the Sword.——— 2 Sam. i. 27. How are the Mighty fallen, and the
Weapons of War perished!————Lam. i. 1. How doth the City
solitary sit, she that was great among the Nations, and
Princess among the Provinces!————Ver. 2. All the
Night she weepeth sore, and her Tears are on her Cheeks.———— Zech. [sic] xi. 2. Howl, O ye Fir-Trees, for the
Cedar is fallen.————The principal Parts are to be performed by Mr. King, Mr. Weely, Mr. Freeman, Mr. Gates, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Baker.[8] |
|
[Lady Bristol to Lord Bristol, October 1722] Bononcini is dismissed the theatre for operas, which I believe you and some [437] of your family will regret. The reason they give for it is his extravagant demands.[9] |
Oct 27
|
There is a new Opera now in Rehearsal at the Theatre in the
Hay-Market, a Part of which is reserv’d for one Mrs. Cotsona, an extraordinary
Italian Lady, who is expected daily from
Italy. It is said, she has a much
finer Voice and more
accurate Judgment, than any of her Country Women who have
performed on the English Stage. ’Tis reported that the Managers of the Fund subscrib’d to the Opera
will make a Dividend of their Profits some Time this Winter.[10] |
Oct 31
|
The Governour and Court of Directors of the Royal Academy of
Musick do hereby give Notice, That they have
appointed a General Court to be held on Thursday the 8th of Novembe[r]
next, at Eleven a Clock in the Morning, at
their Office in the Hay-Market. All
the Subscribers belonging to
the Corporation are desired to be present at the same
Time. Application being made to the Royal Academy of Musick for Tickets intitling
the Bearers to the Liberty of the House for
this Season, the Academy agree to give out Tickets on
the same Terms of last Year, to such Persons as shall
subscribe an Instrument left at White’s Chocolate- House in St.
James’s-Street for that Purpose, wherein the Conditions
are particularly specify’d.[11] |
Nov 2
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay- Market,
To-morrow, being Saturday, the 3d of November, will be
perform’d An Opera call’d, MUTIUS SCAEVOLA.
Pit and Boxes to
be put together, and in Regard to the Increase of the Numbers
of the Subscribers, no more than Three Hundred and Fifty
Tickets will be deliver’d out at Mrs. White’s Chocolate- House in St.
James’s-street, at Half a Guinea each.
No Persons are to be admitted
behind the Scenes. Gallery 5 s. To begin exactly at Six
a-Clock.[12] |
Nov 3
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay- Market, on
Wednesday next, being the 7th of November, will be
perform’d An Opera call’d, MUTIUS SCAEVOLA.
Pit and Boxes to
be put together, and in Regard to the Increase of the Numbers
of the Subscribers, no more than Three Hundred and Fifty
Tickets will be deliver’d out at Mrs. White’s Chocolate- House in St.
James’s-street, on Tuesday and Wednesday next, at Half a
Guinea each. No Persons are to be
admitted behind the Scenes. Gallery 5 s. To begin exactly at Six a-Clock. Sig. Senesino not
being intirely recover’d, this Opera, which was to have been
perform’d To-Day, is defer’d till Wednesday next, when it will
certainly be perform’d.[13] |
Nov 7
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay- Market, this
present Wednesday, being the 7th of November, will be
perform’d An Opera call’d, MUTIUS SCAEVOLA.
Pit and Boxes to
be put together, and in Regard to the Increase of the Numbers of
the Subscribers, no more than Three Hundred and Fifty
Tickets will be deliver’d out at Mrs. White’s Chocolate- House in St.
James’s-street, at Half a Guinea each.
No Persons are to be
admitted behind the Scenes. Gallery 5
s. To begin
exactly at Six a-Clock.[14] |
Nov 8
|
At a General Court of the Royal Academy of
Musick held the 8th Instant, it is resolved, that Notice
be given to the
several Defaulters in the Payment of their Calls, that they
pay the same on or before the 22d Instant, when another
General Court is to be held and new Directors
chosen for the Year ensuing. And in
case any Person
shall not make their Payment in that Time, that they
be proceeded against at Law, and their Names
made publick.[15] |
Nov 21
|
Notice is hereby given, That the General Court of the Royal
Academy of Musick stands adjourned till To-morrow the 22d
Instant, at Eleven in the Morning, when new Directors
are to be chosen for the Year ensuing; and the several
Subscribers to the said Royal Academy are desired to be
present at the same Time.[16] |
Nov 29
|
The General Court of the Royal Academy of Musick held the 22d
Instant, having ordered a further Call of 5 1. per Cent.
which is the 9th Call, to be made, payable on all the Subscribers
to the said Royal Academy, on or before the
13th of December next: These are to give Notice, That the
Deputy-Treasurer is to attend at the Office at the Opera-House
in the Hay-Market, on the several Days following, viz.
the 11th, 12th, and 13th of December, as aforesaid,
from Nine in the Morning till Two in the Afternoon,
in order to receive the same.[17] |
Dec 22
|
Mrs. Cotsona, the Italian Lady, whom we mention’d some time since
to be coming over to England to sing at the Opera, is married
on her Journey: She had Two Hundred
and Fifty Pounds
advanced by Heidecker, Master of the Opera House, before she
set out, which if she should refund, and not come at all,
would prove a double Disappointment to that Gentleman, not only in
losing a Person so well qualified; but he has taken a
Sum of Money some Days since of a Person of Quality, to
pay Half a Guinea per Diem till she comes.[18] |
Dec 22
|
On Saturday Night the King was at the Opera in the
Hay-Market, where the Throng of Coaches and Chairs
was so great, that his Majesty was for some Time
obstructed in his Passage back to St. James’s.[19] |
Dec 29
|
LONDON. SEigniora Cutzoni is expected here with much Impatience,
for the Improvement of our Opera Performances;
and, as ’tis said, she far excells Seigniora Duristante, already with us, and all those she leaves
in Italy behind her. Much Satisfaction may be expected by those who of
late Years have contributed largely to Performances
in this Kind, for the great Advantage of the Publick, and
softening the Manners of a rude British People. The Terms (this Lady does us this
extraordinary Favour upon)
are reported with such Uncertainty, and it is so
difficult to get at the Truth, that we shall only say what is
controverted by no one, That she is to receive more Advantage
than any one yet has on the like Occasion; tho’ 1500 l.
a Season in such Cases is frequent.
How prudent such a
Conduct may be in a People who want nothing from Rome,
is not amiss describ’d in the following Lines of a
celebrated Poet, pen’d with a Spirit truly British: No more th’ Italian squaling Tribe admit, In Tongues unknown; ’tis Popery in Wit. The Songs (their selves confess) from Rome they bring; And ’tis High Mass, for ought you know, they sing. Husbands, take care, the Danger may come nigher, The Women say, their Eunuch is a Fryar. But is it not a serious Ill to see Europe’s great Arbiters so mean can be; Passive with an affected Joy to fit, Suspend their native Taste and manly Wit; Neglect their Comic Humour, Tragic Rage; For known Defects of Nature and of Age: Arise, for Shame! ye conqu’ring Britons, rise, Such unadorn’d Effeminacy despise; Admire (if you will doat on foreign Wit) Not what Italians sung, but Romans writ.[20] |
[1] The Daily Courant, no. 6308, Tuesday 9 January 1722, [2]; repr., no. 6309, Wednesday 10 January 1722, [1].
[2] The Daily Courant, no. 6340, Thursday 15 February 1722, [1].
[3] The London Journal, no. 135, Saturday 24 February 1722, 5-6.
[4] The Daily Courant, no. 6356, Tuesday 6 March 1722, [2].
[5] The Daily Journal, no. 374, Wednesday 4 April 1722, [2]; also, The Daily Courant, no. 6381, Wednesday 4 April 1722, [1].
[6] The Daily Courant, no. 6381, Wednesday 4 April 1722, [2].
[7] The Manuscripts of the Earl of Carlisle, preserved at Castle Howard (London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1897), 37.
[8] The St. James’s Journal, no. 15, Thursday 9 August 1722, 90.
[9] R. A. Streatfeild, “Handel, Rolli, and Italian Opera in London in the Eighteenth Century,” The Musical Quarterly 3 (1917), 428-45: 436-37.
[10] The London Journal, no. 170, Saturday 27 October 1722, 3.
[11] The Daily Courant, no. 6561, Wednesday 31 October 1722, [1]; first paragraph repr., The London Gazette, no. 6107, Tuesday 30 October – Saturday 3 November 1722, [3].
[12] The Daily Courant, no. 6563, Friday 2 November 1722, [1].
[13] The Daily Courant, no. 6564, Saturday 3 November 1722, [2].
[14] The Daily Courant, no. 6567, Wednesday 7 November 1722, [1].
[15] The London Gazette, no. 6110, Tuesday 6 – Saturday 10 November 1722, [1]; also, in The Evening Post, no. 2073, Thursday 8 – Saturday 10 November 1722, [2]; The Daily Courant, no. 6571, Monday 12 November 1722, [2].
[16] The Daily Courant, no. 6579, Wednesday 21 November 1722, [1].
[17] The Daily Courant, no. 6586, Thursday 29 November 1722, [2]; repr., no. 6595, Monday 10 December 1722, [1].
[18] The London Journal, no. 178, Saturday 22 December 1722, 5; repr., William C. Smith, “Handeliana,” Music and Letters 31 (1950), 125-32: 130.
[19] The Daily Journal, no. 599, Monday 24 December 1722, [1]; repr., The Weekly Journal: Or, British Gazetteer, Saturday 29 December 1722, 2432.
[20] The British Journal, no. 15, Saturday 29 December 1722, 3; partly repr., William C. Smith, “Handeliana,” Music and Letters 31 (1950), 125-32: 130.