Lawrenson pinxt.
Evans sculp.
Published July 1807, by Matthews & Leigh.
In 1770[108] the leader was F. H. Barthelemon, one of the best known violinists of his time, and distinguished for his firmness of hand, and purity of tone. His burletta, “The Noble Pedlar,” was successfully produced this year. “The Magic Girdle,” and “The Madman,” were also produced; and the “Serva Padrona,” was revived. On 4 September the Fourth Concerto of Corelli, with the additional parts for trumpets, French horns and kettledrums, was performed. In 1771[109] “The Magnet” was performed (first time, 27 June) and Miss Catley, now principal singer at Covent Garden, made her re-appearance.
From 1772 to 1774 the productions of Torré[110] the fireworker made the gardens very popular. Residents in the neighbourhood thought the fireworks a nuisance, and attacked Torré in the newspapers. Mrs. Fountayne produced a rocket-case found in her own garden, and in 1772 Arnold, as proprietor, was summoned at Bow Street. He pleaded, however, a license from the Board of Ordnance, and the fires of Torré continued to burn bright. Torré’s masterpiece, often repeated at the Gardens, was called the Forge of Vulcan. After the fireworks were over, a curtain rose, and discovered Vulcan and the “Cyclops” at the forge behind Mount Etna. The fire blazed, and Venus entered with Cupid, and begged them to make arrows for her son. On their assenting, the mountain appeared in eruption, and a stream of lava poured down its sides.
Numerous singers were engaged for 1772,[111] Charles Bannister, Reinhold, Mrs. Calvert and others, and the musical entertainments were “The Divorce,” by Hook; “The Coquet,” by Storace; “The Magnet,” and “La Serva Padrona.” Bannister gave his clever musical imitations of well-known singers and of “the Italian, French and German manner of singing.” At Hook’s Annual Festival on 28 August (1772) “Il Dilettanti” (by Hook) was given for the first time with choruses by “the young gentlemen from St. Paul’s Choir.” The pyrotechnic entertainments included a representation of Cox’s Museum, and a magnificent temple consisting of “upwards of 10,000 cases of different fires all ... lighted at the same time.” During the fireworks, martial music was performed under Hook’s direction in the Temple of Apollo.[112]
In 1773[113] the Gardens were open for three evenings in the week. Handel’s “Acis and Galatea” was performed (27 May), and Barthelemon’s “The Wedding Day,” in which “Thyrsis, a gay young swain, is beloved by Daphne, an antiquated damsel.” Arne conducted his catches and glees at a concert on 15 September.[114]
In 1774[115] there was music every week-day evening. Several novelties were introduced, but the fortunes of the Gardens appear to have been waning. Dr. Arnold’s “Don Quixote” was performed for the first time on 30 June. The first Fête Champêtre took place in July, but the newspapers attacked the management for charging five shillings for an entertainment which consisted of a few tawdry festoons and extra lamps. Some of the visitors, we are told, “injured the stage and broke its brittle wares.” One cannot help suspecting that Dr. Johnson was at the bottom of this outrage: at any rate during a visit of his to the Gardens at some time between 1772–1774 a similar incident occurred.
Johnson, who had heard of the fame of Torré’s fireworks, went to the Gardens one evening, accompanied by his friend George Steevens. It was showery, and notice was given to the few visitors present, that the fireworks were water-soaked and could not be displayed. “This” (said Johnson) “is a mere excuse to save their crackers for a more profitable company. Let us both hold up our sticks and threaten to break those coloured lamps, ... and we shall soon have our wishes gratified. The core of the fireworks cannot be injured: let the different pieces be touched in their respective centres, and they will do their offices as well as ever.” Some young men standing by indulged in the violence suggested, but failed to ignite the fireworks. “The author of The Rambler,” as Mr. Steevens judiciously observes, “may be considered, on this occasion as the ringleader of a successful riot, though not as a skilful pyrotechnist.” A second Fête Champêtre succeeded better, and the company did not leave till six in the morning.