Event Comment: Benefit for
Mme Banti. A Grand Serious Opera (1st time in this Country [1st performed at
Paris, 1779]);
the Music by
Gluck. Accompanied With Chorusses under
the Direction of
Kelly. With entirely
new Scenes designed by
Marinari, and executed under his direction, Dresses and Decorations. Tickets to be had of Mme Banti, No. 7,
Hay Market.
The Company are respectfully entreated not to come upon
the Stage this Night, as
the Iphigenia is accompanied with a degree of Spectacle on which
the effect of
the Performance chiefly depends; besides,
the Machinery used in this Opera will make it dangerous for
the Company to be upon
the Stage during
the time of
the representation. "We never saw a House more splendid, more crowded, nor more gratified...In spite of
the request not to crowd upon
the stage, it was quite thronged; and it was impossible to move
the complicated and superb scenery with effect. We lament that no means can be devised to save
the stage from this perpetual intrusion" (
Morning Chronicle, 8 Apr.). "Banti had a crowded house for her benefit, and is said to have netted 1500 guineas" (
Monthly Magazine, May 1796 p. 321)
Performances
Mainpiece Title: Ifigenia In Tauride