Event Comment: The Nobility, Gentry and Public at large are respectfully informed that, in compliance with
the wishes of many of
the principal Subscribers an supporters of this undertaking, and it being found that, without offence to law,
the entertainments advertised for
the Hanover-square Rooms may be given at this Place.
The Doors to be opened at 6:30. To begin at 7:30 [same throughout season]. Pit 10s. 6d. Gallery 5s. As
the Proprietors would not presume, even to save
themselves from utter ruin, to offend ei
ther
the Authority of
the King, or of
the Laws,
they forbear all idea of performing Operas until
the hardship and justice of
their case shall produce
the proper influence upon
his Majesty's benevolent mind; and, under
the circumstances in which thy stand, with a Company of
the most celebrated singers and dances in
the world, in
their respective departments, engaged at an expense of #18,000,
they confide in
the liberality to
the Public that
they will countenance and support such an Entertainment as
they are legally warranted to give, until
they shall recover
their just right of performing Operas under his Majesty's license. "From dinner we all went to
the Opera House in the Haymarket, where for
the first time
they performed for money [see 23 Feb., 10 and 22 Mar.];
the singers, to avoid
the [licensing] Act, coming in
their own dresses and confining
themselves to
the airs. It will be seen whe
ther this restriction will be considered sufficient" (
Windham Diary, 219). "
The action of
Orpheus and Eurydice has been seen before at both
the rehearsals [see 10 and 22 Mar.], but
the scenery could not be
then sufficiently displayed. It was very correctly managed on Saturday night...
The scene of
the Elysian fields deserved
the most admiration, where, by means of lights placed behind gauze, a filmy hue is thrown over
the stage, and
the figures assume
the appearance of aerial beings" (
Gazetteer, 28 Mar.)