Event Comment: Benefit for Fishar (ballet master) and Sga Manesiere. [The previous day's bill made special announcement of the variety of Dancing to be offered. N.B. A previous Academy of Dancing 23 April 1762. Miles listed for the part of Landlady by Public Advertiser.

Event Comment: Benefit for Redman, Wild, Roffe and Mrs Naylor. Tickets deliver'd by Master Harris will be taken

Event Comment: Benefit for Master Lyon

Event Comment: Paid for 2 clarinets 6 nights (29th inst. inclusive) #9 9s.; Super. Soldiers #1 4s.; Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #4 11s.; Master Thomson Chorus, 13 nights (30th incl.) #3 5s.; Printer's Bill #9 6s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receitps: #219 5s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Paid salary list #496 18s. 6d.; Mrs Abington on cloaths account #2; Master Thomson, Chorus, 13 nights, #3 5s.; Rec'd stopages #12 15s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #185 3s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The Characters in Mainpiece "New Dress'd" (playbill). Rec'd Mr C. Roberts half year's rent to Mich. Last, #5; Paid Mr C. Roberts (shoemaker) #11 6s. 10d.; Mr G. Garrick on Acct #100; Master Thomson 13 nights (12th incl.) #3 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #211 17s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Desire. N.B. The Institution of the Garter will be laid aside after this night (playbill). Paid Mr Davies on note #5; Miss Hopkins 29 nights at 2s. 6d. per night, #3 12s. 6d.; Mr Thomas French 7 days #2 16s.; Master Brown 12 nights last season and 3 nights this season #5 12s. 6d.; (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #221 4s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: By Command of Their Majesties. Tickets and places to be taken of Mr Johnston at the Stage Door of the Theatre at Half a Guinea. Pit 5s. First Gallery 3s. 6d. Second Gallery 2s. Doors to be opened at Five o'clock. To begin at Half past Six. Theatrical Review (London, 1772), appendix, pp. 207-8: The Oratorios performed at this House were conducted by Messrs. Stanley and Smith, for their own emolument; the Managers of the theatre having had no Share of the profit arising from these performances, nor any advantage, except a premium for the use of the house. Mr Stanley's musical abilities are well known. Mr Smith, was, if we are not mistaken, a pupil of the celebrated Mr Handel's; and, we believe, that Gentleman left Mr Smith the greatest part of his music, if not his whole library; so that Mr Smith may with great propriety claim the right of succeeding Mr Handel in the exhibition and conduct of his Oratorios, which he has undertaken (in conjunction with Mr Stanley) every since Mr Handel's death. Their band was composed of some of the most capital performers in this kingdom, and was led by Mr Ximenes. The vocal performers (exclusive of Chorus singers) were Mr Norris, well known to all lovers of Music, for his taste and delicacy of execution. Mr Parry (a Bass voice) from the Cathedral Church of Salisbury. This gentleman, though very young, has an extensive compass, and a great power of voice, and acquits himself with considerable reputation. Mrs Weichsel and Mrs Scott, of whom it would be superfluous and unnecessary to say anything, since their abilities are generally known. And lastly Signora Grassi, a performer of great merit. Theatrical Review, 6 March: This is Mr Dryden's celebrated Ode on St Cecelia's Day, and not an Oratorio, but performed as such...It contains many beauties and such as are worthy of Mr Handel's genius...Being much shorter than the usual length of oratorios, Mr Handel's celebrated Coronation Anthems were added in order to make the evening's entertainment of a proper length. Also a Solo on the Violincello by Mr Janson...lately arrived from Paris, said to have been a pupil of Mr Duport's but, though his taste and excution is very astonishing, we cannot give him the preference of his master. [See 13 April 1773.Charge seems to have been #28 per night plus expenses for oil, candles &c.

Event Comment: Paid Mr Dibdin's draft on Managers, #50; Mrs Weston 4 nights in the Garter in full, 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Mr Daigueville, First Dancer and Ballet Master at Drury Lane House, gives notice to the Nobility and Gentry, that he has an elegant dancing room, No. 38 Cow Lane, Snowhill; where he continues to teach every day the Dauphin's Minuet and others...Teaches abroad also when required; and at the request of his scholars, he will give a Ball on the 10th instant. The Gentlemen are desired to call at his house for the tickets 10s. 6d. each, to admit one Gentleman and a Lady. If any Gentleman wants the Ballroom for private assembly or concert they may have it for one or two nights in the week. Receipts: #159 6s. (Treasurer Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr Moody. Paid Mr S. French 6 days #1 10s.; Master Thomson, 13 nights #3 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #246 6s. Charges: #64 12s. Profits to Moody: #181 14s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Sg Daigville & Signa Vidini. [24 April letter signed Ned Shuter dated from his Majesty's Bench of Justice, St Georges Fields: "Theatrical Memoirs giving circumstantial account of my family-Admit my father was a chairman, my mother sold oysters in winter and cucumbers in summer. I was not born in a cellar but in a two pair of stairs front room at one Mrs Merit's an eminent Chimney Sweeper, Vine Street, St Giles" (Winston MS 10). Thomas Weston's apology for the delay of his Benefit. It was owing to his distressed affairs which he had new laid open to the managers. See comment form Edinburg Evening Courant, 29 April.] Paid Renters #88 for Oratorio nights; Mr Dibdin's draft on managers #50; Master Brown 5 nights, #1 17s. 6d.; Rec'd from Messrs Smith and Stanley charges for 11 Oratorio nights at 28# per night, plus candles &c . #342 4s.; Rec'd stopages #9 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #151 4s. Charges: #65 11s. Profits to Daigville & Sga Vidini: #85 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Fishar (Ballet Master) and Sga Manesiere. Charges #64 10s. Profit to each beneficiary #26 7s. 3d., plus income from tickets: Fishar #55 13s. (Box 115; Pit 112; Gallery 106); Sga Manesiere, #34 7s. (Box 59; Pit 74; Gallery 85) (Account Book). Receipts: #117 4s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bannister. Rec'd stopages #11 15s. 6d.; From Sinking Fund, 1st, #157 10s. (Treasurer's Book). [N.B. this last bookkeeping transfer seems to have enabled treasurer to pay off Mr Calthorpe. See 1 May 1772.] Paid Salary list #497 18s. 6d.; Mrs Abington's cloaths acct #2; Mr S. French #1 10s.; Master Brown 3 nights #1 2s. 6d. Receipts: #140 9s. 6d. Charges: #58 16s. 6d. Profits to Bannister: #81 16s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Rosetta 1st time Mrs Wrighten very well, great Applause (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for Ackman and Mrs Wrighten. Paid Master Brown 4 nights #1 10s. (16th inst. incl.). Receipts: #207 6s. 6d. Charges: #65. Profits to Ackman and Mrs Wrighten: #142 6s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Last time of performing Mainpiece this season. House (Hopkins Diary). But Tickets delivered for Benefit of Mr W. Barry will be taken. Mr Wm. Barry's tickets this night (Box 88; Pit 76; Gallery 47) #38 2s.; Paid Printer's Bill #9 6s.; Master Brown 2 nights (26th incl.) 15s.; Extra trumpet 2 nights (March 31st incl.) #1 1s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #155 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Master Brown 6 nights (this incl.) #2 5s.; Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #5 1s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #85 19s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Mrs Lessingham in full for salary to 1 June last, #300. Paid Whitefield [master of wardrobe] half a year's salary due Mich. Last, #50; Paid Sarjant ditto #20; Paid Mrs Carne ditto, #15. Receipts: #154 11s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Ballet composed by D'Auvigne, ballet master

Event Comment: [Pasticcio: an opera, cantata, or other composition made up of various pieces from different authors or sources. See H. Walpole to Mann, 1 Nov. 1752, Our Operas begin tomorrow with a pasticcio full of most of my favourite songs." Grove's Dictionary, II, 688: "A species of lyric drama composed of airs, duets and other movements selected from different sources and so grouped as to provide a mixed audience with the greatest possible number of favourite airs in succession." See favorable notice 20 March in the Public Advertiser. The Westminster Magazine remarked of Oratorio season at cg: "They have not possessed so uninterrupted a flow of success, but we remember that they have experienced more barren seasons. The instrumental band is superior to that at the other house, and the vocal not at all inferior. At this house they have produced selections of musical pieces, by the most capital masters, arranged so as to form entire entertainments. In general these are very agreeable." See 20 March.] Charges: #35

Event Comment: Benefit for Fishar (ballet master) and Sga Manesiere. [The Lady identified as Mrs Sage by Kemble note on playbill.] Charges #65 10s. 6d. Profit to each beneficiary #18 6s. 3d., plus income from tickets: Fishar #61 14s. (Box 104; Pit 150; Gallery 132); Sga Manesiere, #66 12s. (Box 125; Pit 179; Gallery 85) (Account Book). Receipts: #002 3s

Event Comment: Benefit for Quick. Afterpiece: A new Farce never performed. Altered from Sir Charles Sedley's Piece of the same title by Dr Goldsmith. Acted only this night (playbill). [The notation on the alteration is by Kemble on the playbill. The characters are: Sourby, Octavio, Wentworth, Dancing Master, Scamper, Clarissa and Jenny. See Edition by Alice I. Perry Wood (Cambridge, Mass., 1931).] Charges #66 5s. Profit to Quick #7 6d., plus #80 from tickets (Box 100; Pit 263; Gallery 156) (Account Book). [Brief review of the Grumbler in the Westminster Magazine for May 1773: "It was several years ago translated from the French, and received this night some additional touches from the pen of Dr Goldsmith. An entertainment of one act cannot be expected to contain much. The whole merit of this is centered in one character, and perhaps in one scene."] Receipts: #73 5s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Stede, Hollingsworth and Master Jones. Tickets deliver'd by Abbot, Wilkinson, Mrs Woolley, Pilford, T. Ansell, Mrs Hitchcock, Widow Trott, Sherrat, Whately, Doe, Mrs Paddick, Claridge, and Curteen will be taken. [No charges. House took half value of tickets plus ready receipts of #20 10s.] Receipts: #20 10s. (Account Book). @Tickets Box Pit Gallery Value Half Value@Miss Stede 29 47 42 #18 10s. #9 5s.@Hollingsworth 3 6 17 #3 7s. #1 13s. 6d.@Mrs Jones - - - - -@Abbott 17 71 79 #22 16s. #11 8s.@Wilkinson 27 34 1 #11 19s. #5 19s. 6d.@Mrs Woolley 12 44 56 #15 4s. #7 12s.@Pilfold 36 249 93 #55 13s. #27 16s. 6d.@Ansell 11 58 60 #17 9s. #8 14s. 6d.@Mrs Hitchcock 37 44 24 #18 5s. #9 2s. 6d.@Mrs Trott 17 3 6 #5 6s. #2 13s.@Sharratt - 21 15 #4 13s. #2 6s. 6d.@Whatley - 9 35 #4 17s. #2 8s. 6d.@Doe 2 27 41 #8 13s. #4 6s. 6d.@Mrs Paddick 5 14 18 #5 3s. #2 11s. 6d.@Claridge 7 27 29 #8 14s. #4 7s.@Curteen 30 28 60 #17 14s. #8 17s.@Total 233 682 576 #218 3s. #109 1s. 6d.

Event Comment: The proprietors of the Opera House think it is their duty to lay before the Nobility and Gentry to whose patronage they are highly endebted a list of the engagements made for the ensuing season. [No attention or expense spared to make the operas brilliant. Gordon spent two months in Italy, and made two trips to Paris to select the best singers and dancers.] The ill health of Sg Carabaldi having prevented his setting out in time and made it impossible for him to be here at the opening of the theatre. Sg Scheroli, the Tenor who has played the first Buffo with the greatest reputation in Italy, has kindly undertaken to play the part until his arrival. Company: Serious Opera-Millico, Mrs Davies, Scheroli (Tenor), Sga Galli, Sga Lodi. Comic Opera-Carabaldi, Scheroli, Sga Marchetti, Sga Galli, Fochetti, Sga Lodi, Sga Gardi. Poet-Sg Badini. Master of the Dances-Petro. Principal Dancers-Fierville, Pico, Vicenzo Lorenzo, Bocchini, Mariottini, Sga Mimi Faviere, Sga Mazzoni, Sga Nina Faviere, Colomba (from Milan), Mr Canter. Book-Boxkeeper-Yates. [Requests nobility and subscribers to pay up their subscriptions.

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A New Pantomime (never performed). The Music entirely new, by Fisher, New Scenes, Machines, Dresses, and Decorations. Books of the Songs, Chorusses, &c. to be had at the Theatre. Nothing under FULL PRICE will be taken. [The note about full prices and availability of books of songs, &c. accompanies each subsequent bill for Sylphs this season. The Westminster Magazine (Jan. 1774) fears the afterpiece may have been composed by Woodward. The reviewer recounts the story in some detail, likes the paintings and scenery, but states categorically: "We do not hesitate to pronounce it the worst Harlequin entertainment we remember to have seen...The music too is very insipid and pilfered from other masters."] Receipts: #237 3s. 2d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Sunday 30 Jan-Saturday last died James Love, Comedian, Master of Edinburg Theatre, late of Drury Lane. Was educated at Westminster School and went from there to Cambridge (Winston MS 10). Rec'd stopages #19 19s. 6d.; Paid salary list #529 2s.; Mr King's extra salary #3. Receipts: #183 19s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)