Event Comment: Benefit for Dame [sic] Mara. Morning Herald, 13 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Mme Mara, at Mr Monzani's No. 2, Pall-Mall. Receipts: #236 3s. 6d. (199.1.6; 6.16.0; tickets: 30.6.0)

Event Comment: Among the principal instrumental performers are G. Ashley, leader of the band; C. Ashley, W. Parke, Boyce, R. Ashley, Parkinson, Woodham, Jenkinson, Bridgtower, the Munros, Purney, the Cantelos, Taylor, Lavenu, M'Intosh, Gwilliam, Nix, Cobham, Leffler, Betts, Piele, Flack, Dressler, Cornish, I. Sharp, W. Sharp, M. Sharp, J. Sharp, Archer, Ware, Wood, G. Jones, Moorehead, Slezak, Francis, Jackson, Beale, Skillern, Abbot, &c. Organ-J. Ashley. The Band and Chorusses will be numerous and complete; and assisted by the trombones and double drums used at Handel's Commemoration at Westminster Abbey [in 1784]. The whole under the direction of Ashley, Sen. Places for the Boxes to be had of Brandon at the Stage Door. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00 [same throughout oratorio season]. Half Price will be taken at the end of the second part. Boxes 6s. Pit 3s. 6d. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Books of the Performance (with the imprimatur of E. Macleish) to be had at the theatre, price 6d

Event Comment: Mr Salomon having insinuated that he alone is in possession of a correct Score of this celebrated Oratorio, I feel compelled, in justice to myself, to state that the Oratorio was published by subscription at Vienna, and that the printed Copy, from which I had the Parts transcribed, was delivered by Dr Haydn to a subscriber in Vienna, and brought from thence expressly for me, and on which is the Doctor's initials. The accuracy with which it was performed, and the enthusiasm with which it was received, are, I hope, convincing proofs that no other directions are necessary to "produce the effect required by the Author." I should not thus have obtruded myself, but I conceived it requisite to justify myself from the imputation of having attempted to impose a spurious production upon that public to whom I am under so many obligations. I am, with the greatest respect and gratitude, their most obedient servant, John Ashley. March 29. [On 29 Mar. the following card had appeared in most of the daily newspapers: Mr Salomon having received from Dr Haydn an early Copy of his New Oratorio called The Creation of the World, and having been favoured by him exclusively with particular directions on the style and manner in which it must be executed, in order to produce the effects required by the Author, begs to acquaint the Nobility and Gentry, that he means to perform it on Monday, the 21st of April next, at the King's Theatre. The performance took place on that date in the Ancient Music Room, i.e. the large concert-room situated inside the King's, on the east side, level with the first tier of the boxes. The reason for this change was, states the playbill, "the present Performances in the Opera House not allowing sufficient time to erect an Orchestra on the Stage." The principal singers were Mme Mara, Mme Dussek, Small, Page, Denman, Bartleman. Samuel Wesley presided at the organ and at the piano forte.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mme Hilligsberg. Tickets to be had of Mme Hilligsberg, No. 43, Gerrard-street, Soho. 2nd ballet [1st time]: Composed by Didelot, the music by Bossi. With new Scenes, Dresses and Decorations. The Public are respectfully informed that a Programme of the Ballet may be had at the doors

Event Comment: Benefit for the Humane Society. A new grand Commemorative Oratorio [1st time; in two parts], as originally performed by Busby, in aid of the Fund for the Naval Pillar, including the new Music [by Busby: Song and Chorus, From where the sun; Song, To thy brave sons; Recitative and Song, Peace to the soul, Around the ever-honoured urn], introduced in the Grand National Concert, performed the 28th of May, at the Opera House. Leader of the Band-Cramer. Organ-Russell. The performance to be conducted by Busby, who will preside at the Piano Forte. Tickets, at playhouse prices, to be had at all the principal music shops...and of Busby, No. 9, China Terrace, Vauxhall Road. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00. "The words [of Part I] are taken entirely from Gray's well-known Pindaric Ode, The Progress of Poesy," with six introductory lines written by John Gretton andthe concluding stanzas by Thomas Dutton; the text of Part II by Gretton (Dramatic Censor, II, 285-86)

Event Comment: [The playbill announces, as dance, The Double Surprise, in which Banti was to make his 4th appearance. But it was deferred; sec 5 Mar.] Receipts: #244 (239/8/6; 4/11/6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Henderson. Mainpiece: Written by Congreve; and now carefully revised and corrected, by expunging the exceptionable passages. [The playbill assigns Lord Touchwood to Clarke, but on the Kemble playbill his name is deleted; the substitute name has been cut by the binder.] Afterpiece: Contracted into 3 acts. With a Grand Dance, and a Reinforcement of Bayes's Troops [for which, and for a list of the other parts, see DL, 13 Dec. 1777. In the Dancing Banti is announced as making his 5th appearance (see 25 Feb., 5 Mar.)]. Public Advertiser, 2 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Henderson, Buckingham-street, York Buildings. Receipts: #238 9s. 6d. (144/9/6; tickets: 94/0/0) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: At Hickford's Room, Brewer St. Benefit for Mme Cuzzoni. Burney, II, 848-49: [Giardini's] first performance in public was at a benefit concert for Cuzzoni, May the 18th...where, as this was her third arrival in this country, and she was grown old, poor, and almost deprived of voice, by age and infirmities, there was but little company; yet, when Giardini played a solo of Martini of Milan's composition, the applause was so long and loud, that I never remember to have heard such hearty and unequivocal marks of approbation at any other musical performance

Event Comment: Benefit for Marten, Stoppelaer, Mme Gondou. Particular care will be taken to prevent tickets sold at the doors being taken