Event Comment: The United Company. This performance is indicated in the Newdigate newsletters, 11 Jan. 1693@4: On Tuesday the Prince of Baden dyned with ye D of Linster and yesterday his Highness saw the new Opera called Diaclessia acted at the Ks play house (Wilson, More Theatre Notes from the Newdigate Newsletters, p. 59). There is, however, some uncertainty about this performance. In the first place, Dioclesian was not a new play, although new songs frequently appeared in it. In the second place, Dryden's new play, Love Triumphant, was ready for its premiere about this time, and the compiler of the Newdigate newsletters might have been mistaken in identifying the play. Yet the certain performance of The Double Dealer on 13 Jan. 1693@4 would be an awkward interruption of the initial run of Love Triumphant if it were the new play the Newdigate newsletters refer to. It seems likely, then, that Love Triumphant did not make its first appearance until mid-January. In Thesaurus Musicus, 1694, is a new song in The Prophetess, Act III, When first I saw the bright Aurelia's eyes, set by Henry Purcell and sung by Mrs Ayliff. It is also in Joyful Cuckoldom 1695. In the latter compilation are three other songs for this play: Since from my dear, sung by Mrs Hudson "in the Prophetess, as it is newly reviv'd," set by Henry Purcell; Let monarchs fight, the words by Thomas Betterton, the music by Henry Purcell, and sung by Freeman; Let ye soldiers, the words by Thomas Betterton, set by Henry Purcell, and sung by Freeman

Event Comment: The Portledge Papers, 19 June 1697: On Thursday last in the neighbourhood of Somerset house in the evening was a great entertaynment of Musick and singing in so much as that part of the Strand was so crouded with coaches and sedans that I having occasion to goe that way could hardly Pass and I heard it reported that it was designed for the Prince of Wales birthday but the Lord Feversham hearing of it put it off till Thursday (ed. S. J. Kerr and I. C. Duncan, London, 1928, p. 261)

Event Comment: London Gazette, No. 3378, 24-28 March 1698: Next Monday, being the 28th Instant, will be performed in York Buildings, a new Consort of Musick by the chiefest Masters in England, where Signior Rampany, an Italian Musician belonging to the prince of Vaudemont, at the Request of several Persons of Quality, will for once sing in the same in Italian and French. Half a Guinea Entrance

Event Comment: Post Boy, No. 459, 12-14 April 1698: Friday next the 15th of April, in York Buildings, at the Request of several Persons of Quality, will be a find Consort, by Seignior Rampony, Musician to Prince Vaudemont, will sing in Italian, French, and English, beginning at 8 a Clock. [A similar announcement in the Post Man, 12-14 April 1698, adds that the tickets will cost 5s.

Event Comment: London Post, No. 30, 1-3 Jan. 1700: This day at the Theatre-Royal in Dorset-garden, the Famous Kentish-man Mr Joy, designs to show the same Tryals of Strength, he had the honour of showing before his Majesty, the Prince and Princess of Denmark, and several Persons of Quality, viz. The lifting a weight of 2240 l. Holding an extraordinary large Cart-Horse; and afterwards breaking a Rope that will bear 3500 weight. There will likewise be shewn the Sister, carrying 5 Bushels of Wheat, or any other grain; She being but 15 Years of Age. They will also show on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, beginning at 3 of the Clock, and ending at 4 in the Afternoon. Boxes 3s. Pit 2s. 1st Gallery 1s. Upper gallery 6d

Event Comment: At the desire of some Persons of Quality. For the Entertainment of an African Prince lately arrived here, being Nephew to the King of Bauday

Event Comment: For the Entertainment of their Highnesses the Prince and Princess Landgrave of Hesse

Event Comment: Elizabeth Coke to Thomas Coke: They say the Queen and Prince was both extremely diverted with it. There was a great deal of Company, but no finery, the Court being in mourning. [Cowper MS, III, 163.

Event Comment: Benefit Prince. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality

Event Comment: Benefit Estcourt. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. London in 1710 (pp. 138-39): On this occasion the actors represented a prodigiously satirical Interscenium, which was not to be found in the printed copy of the play....In this interlude a troop of soldiers came on, singing at the top of their voices an English song which had been made by the army in Flanders about the Duke of Marlborough. In it Prince Eugene is praised for his open-handedness, while Marlborough, on the other hand, is blamed for his avarice, so that every verse ended: 'but Marlborough not a penny.' The people, who are very bitter against the whole family, even the Duke himself, laughed prodigiously, and bandied about monstrous insults, although Marlborough's daughter, the Duchess of Montagu, was herself at the play and was so greatly shamed that she was covered with blushes....When the song was at an end, there was such a clapping and yelling that the actors were unable to proceed for nearly a quarter of an hour

Event Comment: Admission by ticket only at half a guinea. First Gallery 5s. Upper Gallery 2s. At 6 p.m. Letter by Peter Wentworth, 11 Jan.: Wednesday was the Opera and there he [Prince Eugene] brought a great crowd, so much that Operas are to be perform'd thrice a week whilst he stays here (Wentworth Papers, p. 246)

Event Comment: For the Entertainment of His Highness Prince Eugene of Savoy, His Highness having promis'd his Presence there. At 6 p.m

Event Comment: For the Entertainment of Prince Eugene

Event Comment: The Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets...at half a Guinea each. The Number not to exceed 400. Boxes upon the Stage 15s. Gallery 2s. 6d. And whereas by the frequent calling for the Songs again, the Operas have been too tedious; therefore the Singers are forbid to sing any Song but once; and 'tis hoped no body will call for 'em, or take it ill when not obeyed. The Book of the Opera at 1s. By Command, to begin exactly at 5. [Prince and Princess of Wales present.

Event Comment: Admission as 26 Oct. Colman's Opera Register: ye Prince & Princess of Wales present, ye House not near full. Ye New Singers...meet with little applause as yet Mrs Robinson not singing

Event Comment: As 19 Nov. Prince and Princess of Wales present

Event Comment: As 25 Nov. Prince and Princess of Wales present

Event Comment: By Command. Admission as 26 Oct. Colman's Opera Register: Ye Prince & Princess present, ye House extraordinary full

Event Comment: By His Royal Highness's Command. Prince and Princess present

Event Comment: Admission as 26 Oct. Colman's Opera Register: Ye Prince & Princess went to ye Play this Night--ye Opera had but a thin House with Dancing

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. With New Scenes, Machines, Dances, and all other Decorations, proper to the Play. At Common Prices. [Prince and Princess present.

Event Comment: King, Prince, and Princess present

Event Comment: With all the proper Decorations as Originally. Prince and Princess expected [Weekly Packet, 8 Jan., but see dl]

Event Comment: His Royal Highness's Command. [Prince and Princess present.