Old times : $b A picture of social life at the end of the eighteenth centuryAshton, John
History
Old times : $b A picture of social life at the end of the eighteenth century
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- Social life and customs
"Il Capriccio Dramatico, considerably curtailed, on Saturday,
again introduced Signora Negri, and her reception was again most
flatteringly favorable. The Burletta has to boast some very
beautiful music, and the _Finale_ in particular is much indebted
to the exertions of the performers. So far, all was peace, and
harmony. Would we could say the same of Don Giovanni, whose
reception was, throughout, disapproved. So determined an
opposition to this kind of entertainment we have never witnessed:
and, indeed, some of the occurrences were so peculiarly
_striking_, as to baffle all description. Several blows passed in
the pit; and one gentleman, who was remarkably forward in having
a slap at Don Juan, got a slap in the face from an enraged
_amateur_, who, perhaps, would have been better employed in
_beating_ time. In short, till the fall of the curtain, Morelli's
pretty Venetian Ballad, excepted, which gained an encore, all was
noise and uproar; and the scene of Hell, magnificent, and
terrific, as it was, had so far the characteristic accompanyment
of _groans_, not of the damned, but of those troubled spirits who
wished to torment the Manager.
"The Procession was totally omitted, and several other judicious
alterations made, but, as the sense of the subscribers, as well
as the public, seems decidedly against a repetition of this
Opera, we have no doubt but the Manager will submit,
respectfully, to their _fiat_--comforting himself with the
_reflection_, that his liberal exertions deserve--though it is
not always in the power of mortals to command--success.
"The Opposition to the new Opera of Don Giovanni, on Saturday
night, is said to have been preconcerted: and it was known in the
morning of that day that there was to be a riot. In one part of
the Pit, the disturbance became so serious, that two Gentlemen
called each other out, and agreed to meet, as yesterday morning.
Sir W. H. was at the head of the opposition party. In justice to
the Manager of the Opera, it should be recollected by those who
are dissatisfied with the present company of performers, that the
same unprecedented circumstances which prevented several Dancers
from leaving France, also deterred several singers from coming
from Italy, as they must pass through a part of France. This
inconvenience is only of a temporary nature, and cannot be
prevented. In the meantime, the subscribers, and the public, have
the most magnificent, as well as the most commodious, theatre in
Europe to resort to."--(_Times, Mar. 10, 1794._)
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Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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