Event Comment: king's "On 28th March 1795, I saw the Opera Aci & Galathea by Bianchi. The music is very rich in parts for the wind instruments, and I rather think one would hear the principal melody better if it were not so richly scored. The Opera is too long, especially since Banti has to keep everything going all by herself; for Brida is a good youngster with a beautiful voice but very little musical feeling; and Rovedino, and the good old Braghetti, and the wretched Seconda Donna-they all deserved, and received, not the least applause. The orchestra is larger this year, but just as mechanical and badly placed as it was before, and indiscreet in its accompaniments; in short, it was the 3rd time that this Opera was performed, and everyone was dissatisfied. It happened that, when the 2nd Ballet began, the whole public suddenly became dissatisfied and yelled 'off-off-off,' because they wanted to see the new Ballet which Madam Hilligsberg had given at her Benefice 2 days earlier. Everyone was embarrassed-there was an interval lasting half an hour-until at last a dancer came forward and said, very submissively: 'Ladies and Gentlemen: since the performer [sic, instead of proprietor] Mr Taylor cannot be found, the whole Ballet Company promises to perform the desired ballet next week, for which, however, the Impresario must pay Madam Hilligsberg #300.'That satisfied them, and they then yelled, 'go on-go on;' and thus the old Ballet was performed' (Haydn, 293)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; MD 3, by Prince Hoare. Larpent MS 1126; not published; synopsis of plot in Monthly Magazine, May 1796, p. 320]: With new Scenes, Dresses, Decorations, &c. The Musick principally composed by the late Mr Storace [who had died on 19 Mar.], with a few Selections from Paisiello, Haydn and Sarti. [Grove, under Storace, states that the music was completed and prepared for the stage by Kelly and Sga Storace.] The Scenes designed and executed by Marinari and assistants. The Dresses by Johnston, Gay and Miss Rein. Books of the Songs to be had in the Theatre. "It was exceedingly tedious the first night, not being over till eleven o'clock. Since, it has been prudently cut down, and yet has lost nothing. A prologue, written on the very morning of representation, deploring the loss of the composer, was spoken (perfectly) by the last unfortunate Benson [for whom see 9 June. It was written by Hoare (Universal Magazine, May 1796, p. 362), and Was perhaps spoken only on the 1st night; it is not listed on any playbill]" (Monthly Magazine, May 1796, p. 320). "In short, possessing all the science of Harrison, the melody of Incledon, and the pleasing articulation of the late Mrs Kennedy, we have no hesitation in pronouncing [Braham] the first public singer of the present day. He was three times encored. His action is indifferent, and his dialogue scarcely audible" (Morning Herald, 2 May). Receipts: #297 14s. (258.10.6; 38.19.6; 0.4.0)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: Not acted these 10 years [acted 18 Feb. 1789]. With new Scenery, Dresses, and Decorations. Musick by late Mr Linley. The Scenery of First Part by Greenwood and his assistants, of Second Part by Marinari and his assistants. The Machinery and Decorations by Cabanel, Johnston, Jacobs. The Dresses by Johnston, Gay, Miss Rein. [Synopsis of plot (T. Becket, 1797).] Account-Book, 24 Dec.: Parrot bought and Cage for Robinson Crusoe #3 5s. 6d.; Paid Hunt, fireworker #2 3s. Receipts: #326 9s. (257.1; 62.13; 6.15)

Event Comment: Opera: The Music by Paisiello. L'Amour et Psiche [advertised in True Briton, 6 Jan.] is unavoidably postponed on account of the indisposition of Mme Hilligsberg. The Frequenters of the Gallery are respectfully informed that the Coffee-Room underneath, having since last year been very considerably enlarged, and entirely new ornamented by Mr Liparotti, will be opened for the present Season on this Evening, and the Company will please to observe that at the end of it, next to Market-lane, an additional Staircase has been erected for their greater accomodation in going to and coming from that side of the Gallery