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 either 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 whether 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.)

Event Comment: Their Majesties present. London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 11 Feb.: On Saturday Night a Disturbance happen'd at the Opera House . . . occasion'd by the Footmen's coming into the Passages with their lighted Flambeaux, which gave Offence to the Ladies, &c. in the House; whereupon the Footmen were order'd out, but they refus'd to go, and attack'd the Centinels, but a stronger Guard coming to their Assistance, with their Bayonets fix'd, drove them out; in the Fray one of the Footmen was stabb'd in the Groin, and in the Body, and its thought will die of the Wounds

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A Rehearsal of a New Ballad-Opera, burlesqued [By Richard Baker]

Event Comment: HHandel to Jennens: I have taken the Opera House in the Hay-marketh, engaged, as Singers, Signora Francesina, Miss Robinson, Beard, Reinhold, Mr Gates with his Boyes's and several of the best Chorus Singers from the Choirs, and I have some hopes that Mrs Cibber will sing for me. She sent word from Bath (where she is now) that she would perform for me next winter with great pleasure if it did not interfere with her playing, but I think I can obtain Mr Riches's permission (with whom she is engaged to play in Covent Garden House) since so obligingly he gave leave to Mr Beard and Mr Reinhold.--Deutsch Handel, pp. 591-92

Event Comment: At the Desire of Several Ladies of Quality. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 1s. 6d. [Usual concert formula. See letter to today's Daily Advertiser wherein Foote is threatened with being horsewhipped if he puts on his Diversions. This is part of Foote's publicity program.] Several of Miss Cymber's Friends [at the Play Jane Shore] mistaking the House for the Theatre in James St., are desir'd to observe this is facing the Opera House in the Haymarket.--General Advertiser

Event Comment: MMr Barbaut's Second Subscription Oratorio, taken from the First Book of Milton's Paradise Regained and set to music by Mr Charles Barbant in two parts with a solo upon the Violin by Signor Marella; a solo upon the German Flute by Mr Tacet; a Concerto on the Lute by Mr Servi?; a Hautboy concert by Mr Barbant; and an organ concerto ditto; and a Great Concerto with Clarinets, French Horns and Kettle-Drums, composed by Mr Barbant. Boxes and Pit put together at Half a Guinea each, Gallery 3s. Tickets to be had at Mr Barbant's, at Mr White's in Marshall St., Carnaby-Market; and at Mr Browne's Stationer [sic], facing the Opera House, Haymarket. To begin at half an Hour after six. N.B. the Books of the Oratorios stitched in Blue Paper at 1s. each are sold at Mrs Browne's [sic] in the Haymarket, and at the House on the night of the performance

Event Comment: At the King's Opera House in The Haymarket. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. To begin at 7 p.m. Vivant Rex et Regina. [Repeated in the bills.] By His Majesty's Company. [First production of an English stage play at this house since 18 Nov. 1710, though touring French or Italian companies had played French plays as late as the spring of 1727. The location verified by Isaac Reed, who attended the performance.

Event Comment: MMr Aickin hissed for being imperfect.--This night was introduced at the end of the Pantomime a Grand Masquerade in imitation of that given by the King of Denmark at the Opera House, and lighted up after the same manner--Every performer belonging to the House was on, even Mr Garrick and his brother.--The dresses were very elegant, and the whole very striking,--and gave pleasure to the Audience (Hopkins Diary). [The masquerade remained a part of Queen Mab and was also attached to Fortunatus. It evoked the following verse in Lloyd's Evening Post, Nov. 21-23]: One night last week a merry blade,@Who'd seen the Royal Masquerade,@And paid ten guineas for admission,@Began to damn the imposition;@His friend reply'd, "You may complain,@For I last Night at Drury Lane,@Saw full as much for eighteen pence,@As you got at such vast expence."-- G.S. C y

Event Comment: Attendance will be given this and every Day from Ten in the Morning 'till Three in the Afternoon, at the Opera House in the Haymarket, in order to take in Subscriptions for the Second Subscription to Operas; and whereas the number of Representations for the first Subscription has not been compleated; This is to give notice to the Subscribers, that by sending to the Office, they will have the Money for the deficient Number of Representations returned them; or if they please to go on with the Second Subscription, the Deficiency of the first which ends this Night will be made up to them in the Price of the Tickets for the Second Subscription

Event Comment: A new Serious Opera composed by several celebrated Composers. [From the London Evening Post: The Decoration of the Opera House is very splendid. The Concert Master has 50 Guineas a night, an Englishman. The First Dancer 6 Guineas a night."

Event Comment: Benefit for Dibdin. Charges #64 10s. Deficit to Dibdin #17 6d., but covered by #39 14s. in income from this tickets (Box 60; Pit 102; Gallery 94) (Account Book). [The total house was small, only #93 3s. 6d.] Receipts: #47 9s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. The date of this performance, which coincides with the opening of the playhouse in Lincoln's Inn Fields by Betterton's Company, is established by Downes, Roscius Anglicanus, pp. 43-44: [Betterton, Mrs Bracegirdle, Mrs Barry, and others] set up a new Company, calling it the New Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields; and the House being fitted up from a Tennis-Court, they Open'd it the last Day of April 1695, with a new Comedy: Call'd, Love for Love....This Comedy being Extraordinary well Acted, chiefly the Part of Ben the Sailor, it took 13 Days Successively. Three songs in the play were published separately: I tell thee, Charmion, the music by Finger, sung by Pate and Reading, is in Thesaurus Musicus, 1696, The Fifth Book. A Nymph and a Swain, the music by John Eccles and sung by Pate; and A Soldier and a Saylour, the music by John Eccles, and sung by Dogget, are in Thesaurus Musicus, The Fourth Book, 1695. Cibber, Apology, I, 196-97: After we had stolen some few Days March upon them, the Forces of Betterton came up with us in terrible Order: In about three Weeks following, the new Theatre was open'd against us with veteran Company and a new Train of Artillery; or in plainer English, the old Actors in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields began with a new Comedy of Mr Congreve's, call'd Love for Love, which ran on with such extraordinary Success that they had seldom occasion to act any other Play 'till the End of the Season. This valuable Play had a narrow Escape from falling into the Hands of the Patentees; for before the Division of the Company it had been read and accepted of at the Theatre-Royal: But while the Articles of Agreement for it were preparing, the Rupture in the Theatrical State was so far advanced that the Author took time to pause before he sign'd them; when finding that all Hopes of Accomodation were impracticable, he thought it advisable to let it takes its Fortune with those Actors for whom he had first intended the Parts. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 10: Ramble: You know the New-house opened with an extraordinary good Comedy, the like has scarce been heard of. Critick: I allow that Play contributed not a little to their Reputation and Profit; it was the Work of a popular Author; but that was not all, the Town was ingag'd in its favour, and in favour of the Actors long before the Play was Acted. Sullen: I've heard as much; and I don't grudge 'em that happy beginning, to compensate some part of their Expence and Toil: But the assistance they receiv'd from some Noble Persons did 'em eminent Credit; and their appearance in the Boxes, gave the House as much Advantage as their Contributions. Ramble: Faith if their Boxes had not been well crowded, their Galleries wou'd ha' fallen down on their Heads. Sullen: The good Humour those Noble Patrons were in, gave that Comedy such infinite Applause; and what the Quality approve, the lower sort take upon trust. Gildon, The Lives and Characters (ca. 1698), p. 22: This Play, tho' a very good Comedy in it self, had this Advantage, that it was Acted at the Opening of the New House, when the Town was so prepossess'd in Favour of the very Actors, that before a Word was spoke, each Actor was clapt for a considerable Time. And yet all this got it not more Applause than it really deserv'd. An Essay on Acting (London, 1744), p. 10: The late celebrated Mr Dogget, before he perform'd the Character of Ben in Love for Love, took Lodgings in Wapping, and gather'd thence a Nosegay for the whole Town

Event Comment: DDaily Journal, 21 Sept.: A Company of Italian Comedians recently arrived here from beyond Sea, and being patronized by the Dukes of Montague and Richmond, 'tis said, that Leave will be given them to perform in the Opera-House in the Hay-Market

Event Comment: By His Majesty's Command. N.B. For the better Information of those who do not thoroughly understand the Italian Language, a Book with the Argument and Explanations in English, of what is transacted in every Scenes, may be had...at the usual Places in the Opera-House. Price 6d. [The King, Prince, and Princess present.

Event Comment: DDaily Journal, 9 Oct.: There are Grand Preparations making at the Opera-House in the Hay-Market by New Cloaths, Scenes, &c. And, Senesino being arrived, they will begin to perform as soon as the Court comes to St. James's

Event Comment: Benefit Betty Smith, from the Opera House. 7 p.m

Event Comment: DDaily Advertiser, 29 Dec.: Mr Handel has hir'd the Opera-House in the Hay-Market for the Season, and intends to entertain the Town twice every Week with Oratorios

Event Comment: At the French Theatre, over against the Opera House in the Haymarket, a Concert of Vocal and Instrumental Musick. Boxes 4s. Pit 1s. 6d., Gallery 1s. 6d. Between the two Halves of the Concert will be presented...gratis. 6 p.m. Benefit a Tradesman. Afterpiece: By the Author of The Toy-Shop. [Note, This customary concert formula and the notice of time and prices will not be repeated here.

Event Comment: Whereas Doctor John Francis Croza, late Master of the Company of Comedians at the Opera House in the Haymarket, escaped fro me on Tuesday Evening last: whoever will secure or cause him to be secured, so that I may re-take him, shall have a reward of thirty pounds immediately, paid by me Henry Gibbs, one of the Tipstaffs attending the court of Common Pleas, Southampton St., Covent Garden, Tea Merchant. N.B. The said John Francis Croza is a thin man, about Five feet five inches high, of a swarthy Complexion, with dark brown eyebrows, pitted with the small pox, stoops a little in the Shoulders, is about 50 Years of age, and takes a remarkable deal of Snuff, talks Italian and French, but speaks very little English (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Ward. Tickets to be had of Mrs Ward, next door to the Chapel, in Little Wild St., and of Hobson at the stage door. Tickets deliver'd out for Jane Shore will be taken. A Pamphlet having lately appeared in Ridicule of the late performance of Othello at Drury Lane, to which was subjoined an Advertisement in my name,from whence Occasion has been taken to assert, that I was the publisher, the Publick may be assured that advertisement was inserted without my knowledge or consent, that I am entirely ignorant of the Author, nor am the least concerned in that mean invidious affair. F. Stamper (General Advertiser). [Stamper possibly refers to A satirical Dialogue Humbly address'd to the Gentlemen who deformed the play of Othello; with a Prologue and Epilogue, much more suitable to the occasion than their own. London: River, 1751, listed in the Register of Books, Gentleman's Magazine, March 1751, p. 142. Stamper may also be alluding in some way to a Modern Character introduced in the Scenes of Vanbrugh's Aesop as it was acted at a late private representation of King Henry IV, performed gratis at the Little Opera House in the Haymarket, 3rd edn. 1751, written by F. Stamper. It was published because the farce was hissed off the stage. The Character is a Spouter who tries to instruct Aesop in heroics.] Receipts: #210 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Signora Laura Rosa...having sustainedthe loss of her Salary by the late Failure at the Opera House. At Hickford's Room, Brewer St

Event Comment: There will not be any Tickets sold at the Office for this Night. Those disappointed from not being able to get in to the performance on Saturday last shall be admitted this evening at Siroe or on Saturday next when Leucippo will be performed again; but in case any Lady or Gentleman should choose rather to have their money, it will be paid at the treasurer's office at the theatre this morning, from ten to three O'clock, on returning the tickets. As every precaution was taken to facilitate the entrance of the company by obtaining an additional guard, besides two magistrates who were so kind as to attend with an additional number of constables; nevertheless the weight was so great from the throng that the centinels and the peace officers were forced from their posts, the doors burst open and broke to pieces, to the very great prejudice of the manager. Mr Giardini humbly hopes that those...who had not the opportunity of paying when they were carried in by the torrent, will be so good as to send their money to Mr Spilsbury. Picked up at the Opera House Last Saturday Night a black satin cloak lined with White and a black lace round it. Recovery may be had of Major Spinnage for the cost of the advertising

Event Comment: [R$Ross this month wrote to Colman (Harvard Theatre Collection A.L.S.) inquiring about an intended new theatre at Bath, and opened his heart as follows: "My present situation is most irksome to me and must be to any gentleman or man of merit in his profession to have such an ignorant and now ill-bred fellow as Beard? presume to conduct the business of a theatre Royal, of which he is totally ignorant, and oblig'd to apply to the great Gibson, who naturally wishes to lower every man to his own standard, while the other despises every degree of merit that is not compris'd in Sol fa and wishes the theatre only to substitute as an Opera house." Ross wanted to be nominated for the manager's postition in the new theatre at Bath. N.B. He had already acted 23 times this season in his best parts.

Event Comment: [Long letter of complaint in Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser about text of the Libretto, arguing verse would be better for translation than prose, in the printed books supplied at the Opera House.