Event Comment: A Serio-Comic Opera in 2 acts (never performed here [1st performed at
Vienna, 1784; and in April 1795 performed at
king's under the title of
Il Conte Ridocolo]). The Music composed in his best style by
Paisiello. Under the direction of
Mazzinghi.
Fineschi being hardly recovered from his late severe indisposition humbly hopes for the indulgence of the public, whom rather than disappoint, he would run any danger.
Gallini, for the last time, most respectfully entreats those few Subscribers who have hitherto delayed of declaring themselves, or sending in the names of their Co-subscribers, to do it immediately, as no one can be admitted without showing the Ticket for this year; and the Boxes not bespoke cannot remain empty after the opening of the House. Tickets to be had, and Subscription paid, as usual, at Messrs
Ransom, Morland and Hammersley's, bankers, No. 57,
Pall-Mall. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin precisely at 7:00 [see 3 Jan. 1788]. Pit 10s. 6d. 1st Gallery 5s. 2nd Gallery 3s. "The only Part of the scenery which is interesting is the
bridge Rialtov, and this is badly executed; it looks like a pantomimic show, but not like a
grand opera scene; the bridge is crowded with figurative passengers, and small gondolas appear beyond it. The first idea is a capital error, for the representation of the bridge is supposed sideways, and being covered with shops, no passengers can be seen; the latter idea of boats being placed beyond the bridge crowds the scene, and makes the bridge lose its
grand appearance at a distance...The Managers of the Opera are exceedingly to blame for having substituted a Soprano to a Tenor in the character of
Gafforio" (
Public Advertiser, 17 Dec.). Receipts: #164 14s. [These receipts, and those on all other nights throughout the opera season, represent the sale of non-subscription tickets. On this night 400 tickets were delivered to
Prendergrass, office-keeper at the
Haymarket pit entrance; of these he sold 159 at 10s. 6d. (i.e. #83 9s. 6d.). 100 were delivered to
Toosey, office-keeper at the
King's Door pit entrance; he sold 26 at 10s. 6d. (i.e. #13 13s.). 300 were delivered to
Butler, office-keeper of the 1st Gallery; he sold 190 at 5s. (i.e. #47 10s.). 200 were delivered to
Snelson, office-keeper of the 2nd Gallery; he sold 118 at 3s. (i.e. #17 10s.). Sale of one box #2 2s. "Difference from Gallery to Pit" (i.e. money received from persons who changed their seats from gallery to pit, 5s. 6d.). The delivery of 1,000 non-subscription tickets to be disposed was almost invariably the case on every night of the season; but see 5 Apr. 1788.