Event Comment: The Public are most respectfully informed that, on account of the danger to Gentlemen frequenting the Scenes, as well as to the Performers, and the other persons necessarily employed in working the machinery, in the scenes and decorations, no stranger can with safety remain upon the stage during the representation of this Opera; it has therefore become unavoidably necessary to shut up the communication between the audience part of the Theatre and the Stage during the performance of Alessandro e Timoteo, but the avenues will be opened as usual as soon as the Opera is over

Event Comment: The Comic Opera [Il Capriccio Drammatico, advertised in Morning Herald, 7 July] is unavoidably deferred on account of the sudden indisposition of Sga Bolla

Event Comment: A New Grand Serious Opera (1st time in this Country [1st performed at Parma, 1782]); the Music by Sarti [with additions by Federici]. With entirely new Scenes, Machinery and Decorations, designed by Marinari, and executed under his direction; and new Dresses, invented by Sestini. "The Opera...is founded upon the story of Dryden's Alexander's Feast, of which, indeed, it is merely a literal, and, of course, an elegant and tasteful translation into Italian by Count Gaston di Brizzonie [recte Rezzonico]

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by Robert Jephson. Prologue by the author (Gentleman's Magazine, Jan, 1782, p. 36). Another Prologue, by the Right Hon. Luke Gardiner, "not arriving in London time enough for the first exhibition of the Count of Narbonne, was not spoken" (ibid.). Epilogue by Richard Josceline Goodenough, but beginning with 20 Nov. it was superseded by a new Epilogue written by Edmond Malone (see text)]: With new Scenery and Dresses. Public Advertiser, 1 Nov.: The Management of The Count of Narbonne is . . . under very good Care: Mr Horace Walpole, with a Fondness nothing less than fatherly, directs that part of the Affair which respects the Scenes and Dresses, while Henderson takes Charge of the Rehearsals and the casting of inferior Parts... [Henderson] is to wear a Dress which is lent him from among the Antiquities at Strawberry Hill. "I have been at the theatre, and compromised the affair of the epilogues: one is to be spoken to-morrow, the friend's on the author's night. I have been tumbling into trap-doors, seeing dresses tried on in the green-room, and directing armour in the painting-room" (Walpole [16 Nov. 1781], XII, 95). "I never saw a more unprejudiced audience, nor more attention. There was not the slightest symptom of disapprobation to any part ... It is impossible to say how much justice Miss Younge did to your writing. She has shown herself a great mistress of her profession, mistress of dignity, passion, and of all the sentiments you have put into her hands. The applause given to her description of Raymond's death lasted some minutes, and recommenced; and her scene in the fourth act, after the Count's ill-usage, was played in the highest perfection. Mr Henderson was far better than I excepted from his weakness, and from his rehearsal yesterday, with which he was much discontented himself. Mr Wroughton was very animated, and played the part of the Count much better than any man now on the stage would have done. I wish I could say Mr Lewis satisfied me; and that poor child Miss Satchell was very inferior to what she appeared at the rehearsals, where the total silence and our nearness deceived us. Her voice has no strength, nor is she yet at all mistress of the stage. I have begged Miss Younge to try what she can do with her by Monday. However, there is no danger to your play: it is fully established" (Walpole [to the author, 18 Nov. 1781], XII, 95-96). Public Advertiser, 28 Nov. 1781: This Day is published The Count of Narbonne (price not listed). Receipts: #164 10s. 6d. (163/0/6; 1/10/0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Clive. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire.Afterpiece: Never perform'd before. Ladies and Servants by 3 o'clock. Part of Pit laid into boxes; No Building on Stage. [See Theatrical Review; or, Annals of the Drama, 1763, 1 April, pp. 142-46, for critique of the Sketch of a Fine Lady's Return from a Rout. Rather damns the writing and the performance on all counts, Moody's part being so bad, to save his face he commenced Hibernian in his dialogue" to amuse the ears of his audience. The parts are listed in Larpent MS 220: Sir Gregory Jenkings, Mr Nettle (a Lawyer), 1st Clerk, 2nd Clerk, Porter, Footmen, Lady Jenkings, Nancy Jenkings, Fanny Jenkings, Jane (Lady's Maid).

Event Comment: A new Grand Serious Opera, with Chorusses; the Music by Bianchi, under the direction of Federici. With entirely new Scenes designed by Marinari, Dresses composed and executed by Sestini, and Decorations. "[Banti] I must ever consider as far the most delightful singer I ever heard . . . Her first appearance in this country was in the opera of Semiramide, and all her part in it was of the most beautiful description. In addition to the songs belonging to the opera, she introduced a remarkably fine air by Guglielmi, from the Oratorio of Deborah, with an accompaniment for a violin obligato, originally played by Cramer, afterwards by Viotti and others. This song, though long and one of great exertion, was so prodigious a favourite that it never failed of being encored, not only in its novelty, but in every subsequent revival. Her acting, and recitative were excellent, and in the last scene, where Semiramide dies, was incomparably fine" (Mount-Edgcumbe, pp. 82, 84)

Event Comment: Opera: 1st time in this Country [1st performed at Vienna, 1787. In subsequent bills occasionally entitled, as originally, L'Arbore di Diana]. The Music by Martini [i.e. Martin y Soler]

Event Comment: [True Briton announces Nina, but "The Public are most respectfully acquainted that, on account of Mme Banti's sudden illness, Nina...is unavoidably postponed; and the favorite opera of L'Arbore di Diana will be performed in its stead" (printed slip attached to BM playbill, Burney 937. c. 15).