Event Comment: By Command of
their Majesties. [
Sga Spagnolla had been ill and missed a number of performances. For singers and dancers see following letter.] Sir: I am one of those to whom an Oratorio or an
Opera (whe
ther Italian or English) gives exquisite delight; and am
therefore glad that, as
the town is now full, those entertainments will, very probably, be crowded; and thus amply repay
the several managers, for
the great risk
they run, as to
their property, as well as for
the vast pains
they take to amuse us; for
the labour employed, on those occasions, is infinitely greater than is usually imagined.
The Italian
opera has suffered considerably, this season, by
the inability of
Sga Spagnoli to exert her musical talents, owing to a most severe cold; but as she has now recovered her voice, 'tis presumed that she will be a source of as great pleasure, among us, to persons of a musical ear, and who have a true taste for that species of dramas, as she was in her native country, where she was always heard with great applause. I myself find great charms in
the entertainments, as now exhibiting at
the King's Theatre: for, besides Sga Spagnoli's taste I do not perceive
the least diminution in
Sg Elisi's voice or action, both of which pleased us so much two or three years ago.
Ciprandi appears to me a fine player as well as singer; and with regard to
Sg Savoi, he is generally thought to have a pleasing voice. [Comments on competence of
the Orchestra.]
The principal dancers are likewise acknowledged to have considerable merit.
The gracefulness and
the ease of
Sg Adriani are very pleasing, as is
the elegant agility of
Sga Fabris Monari....
Sg Sodi has so often diverted us by his compositions as Ballet master that it were superfluous to bestow any encomiums on him in this place. [Long comment on agreeable performance of
Sofonisba, Scenery, etc. A puff by
Musidorus in
Public Advertiser.