Dr. Arne and Rule, BritanniaCummings, William Hayman
History
Dr. Arne and Rule, Britannia
Cummings, William Hayman
Arne, Thomas Augustine, 1710-1778
The work was advertised for performance in Dublin in 1743, but was
not actually produced until the following year. On the 28th of
February and 3rd of March an advertisement appeared in _Faulkner's
Journal_--"The Third Night of the Subscription, at the Theatre-royal
in Smock Alley, on Saturday next, being the 10th of this Inst., March,
will be performed the Judgement of Paris, written by Mr. Congreve
and set to music by Mr. Arne, with all the Chorusses as performed at
the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane; after which will be performed a new
Serenata, called Alfred, composed by Mr. Arne, at the special Command
of his Royal Highness, Frederick Prince of Wales, and never performed
but at his Palace at Cliefden, which concludes with a favourite Ode
in Honour of Great Britain, beginning, When Britain first at Heav'n's
command. N.B. Attendance will be given at the Theatre on each Day
of Performance." In May and June, 1744, for the benefit of the
composer and his wife, two performances were given of "Alfred" and the
"Judgement of Paris." The _Dublin Journal_ announced by advertisement
as follows: "Being particularly desired. For the benefit of Mr. and
Mrs. Arne. At Mr. Neale's great Room in Fishamble street, on Wednesday
the 30th of this Inst. May 1, will be performed the Judgement of
Paris, written by Mr. Congreve, and now set to music by Mr. Arne,
after which will be performed a Serenata, call'd Alfred, composed by
Mr. Arne at the special Command of his Royal Highness Frederick Prince
of Wales, and performed at his Palace at Cliefden, on the Birthday of
the young Princess Augusta. To conclude with the celebrated Ode in
Honour of Great Britain, beginning (When Britain first at Heaven's
Command). The principal Parts to be sung by Mr. Lowe, Mr. Cologan, and
Mrs. Arne, being the last Time but one that Mr. Arne, Mrs. Arne or
Mr. Lowe will perform in Publick this Season. Mr. Arne will accompany
the Performance on the Violin, Mr. Welch on the Organ, and Signior
Pasqualino on the Violoncello. N.B. This Performance will be done to
great Advantage, on account of the Organ, and the assistance of Mr.
Cologan, and several Gentlemen in the Chorusses, who could not perform
at the Theatre. Ticket a British Crown. To begin precisely at half an
Hour after 6 o'Clock. Vivat Rex. Tickets to be had at Mr. Arne's in
Aungier street." The repeat performance took place on the 6th of June.
It may be noted that Mr. Cologan (James Colgan) was a vicar-choral of
St. Patrick's Cathedral; probably the several gentlemen in the chorus
were also attached to St. Patrick's or Christ Church Cathedrals, and
thus precluded from assisting in performances on the theatre stage.
Mr. Welch was Mr. George Walsh, the organist of St. Ann's Church,
Dublin. The next performance of "Alfred" took place in London. The
_General Advertiser_ of 20th March, 1745, printed the following: "for
the benefit of Mrs. Arne, an Historical Musical Drama, call'd Alfred
the Great, King of England.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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