Event Comment: The
United Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but the
Gentleman's Journal, June 1694 (apparently appearing in late June) indicated that both parts of
Don Quixote had by then appeared,
and the
Songs to Part I were announced in the
London Gazette, No. 2983, 11-14 June 1694, to be published on 16 June 1694. Very likely Part I appeared in May 1694. The publication of
The Songs in the New Play of Don Quixote, Part the First lists the following pieces.
Sing, sing, all ye muses, the first song in Act II, composed by
Henry Purcell.
Young Chrysostome had vertue, sense, the second song in Act II, was composed by
John Eccles. The third song in Act II,
Sleep, poor youth, was composedy John Eccles.
When the world first knew creation, sung in Act III, was composed by Henry Purcell.
Let the dreadful engines, sung for
Cardenio in Act IV, was set by Henry Purcell.
'Twas early one morning, in Act IV, for
Sancho, was set by John Eccles.
With this, this sacred charming wand, in Act V for
Montesmo,
Mellissa and Urganda, was set by Henry Purcell