Dr. Arne and Rule, Britannia

by William Hayman Cummings

The Great Room, Fishamble Street, Dublin.

In 1741, Arne and his wife made their first united visit to Ireland; from Faulkner’s Dublin Journal of June 29-July 3, we learn that: “Last Wednesday (June 30th) the ingenious Mr. Arne, brother to Mrs. Cibber, and Composer of the Musick of Comus, together with his Wife, (the celebrated Singer,) arrived here from London.” This notice is interesting as evidence that “Comus” had already been performed in Dublin; Mrs. Cibber and James Quin, the original exponents of the Lady, and Comus, were two of the actors engaged in the Dublin production; we may therefore reasonably suppose that they had introduced some of Arne’s music. Mrs. Cibber had also won a high place in the estimation of the public by her exquisite singing in the first performance of the “Messiah” Oratorio when conducted by Handel on the 13th of April preceding. No time was lost by Arne and his wife in making a venture for public favour. Faulkner’s Journal, July 13-17, exhibited the following advertisement: “At the particular Desire of several Persons of Quality, for the Benefit of Mrs. Arne, at the Great Room in Fishamble-street, on Wednesday, the 21st Inst., will be performed a grand Entertainment of Musick, to be divided into three Interludes; wherein several favourite Songs and Duetto will be performed by Mrs. Arne and Mrs. Cibber. In the first Interlude (after an Overture of Mr. Handel’s) a Scene from Mr. Arne’s Opera of Rosamund, by Mrs. Arne; O beauteous Queen, from Mr. Handel’s Oratorio Esther, by Mrs. Cibber; Non chiamarmi, from an Opera of Signor Hasse’s by Mrs. Arne; and O fairest of ten thousand Fair, a Duetto, from Mr. Handel’s Oratorio of Saul, by Mrs. Arne and Mrs. Cibber. In the second Interlude (after an Overture of Mr. Arne’s) Lascia cadermi in Volto, a Song of Farinelli’s Singing, by Mrs. Arne; Chi scherza colle Rose, from Mr. Handel’s Opera of Hymen, by Mrs. Cibber; Vo solcando, a song of Signor Vinci’s by Mrs. Arne; and Vado e vido, a Duetto of Mr. Handel’s in Faramond by Mrs. Arne and Mrs. Cibber. In the third Interlude (after an Overture of Mr. Arne’s), O peace, thou fairest Child of Heaven, from Mr. Arne’s Masque of Alfred, by Mrs. Arne; Un Guardo Solo from Mr. Handel’s Opera of Hymen, by Mrs. Cibber; (by particular Desire) Sweet Bird, from Mr. Handel’s Allegro, by Mrs. Arne; and Per le Porte del Tormento, a favourite Duetto of Mr. Handel’s in Sosarmes, by Mrs. Arne and Mrs. Cibber.—Mrs. Arne, being a Stranger in this Kingdom, humbly hopes the Nobility and Gentry will excuse her personal Application, and to prevent Their being detained at the Doors of the Hall, while Tickets are delivered them, that they will send for their Tickets to Mrs. Cibber’s House in Aungier-street, where Places may be taken.—And, to prevent mistakes, they are desired to send their Servants to Keep Places before five o’clock, To begin exactly at 7 o’clock. N.B. This Performance (intended for the Theatre) is at the Request of several Gentlemen and Ladies altered to the Great Room above mentioned.”

It will be noticed that the programme contains eight pieces composed by Handel, and only four by Arne. Handel was residing in Dublin, and it is quite likely that he extended his friendly patronage to Mrs. Arne and attended the concert. In any case Handel’s music was undoubtedly an attraction for the fashionable world of Dublin; and it is satisfactory to read that the concert was so great a success that “At the particular Desire of several Persons of Quality” a repeat was granted on the following Wednesday, the 28th of July. Very soon after the latter performance, the Dublin musical season came to an end and the many artists who had been making hay in that city transferred their personalities to England. “The celebrated Mr. Handel” left Dublin on the 13th of August, and on Monday, the 23rd of the same month, was followed by Mrs. Cibber, Mr. Arne and David Garrick. Mrs. Arne remained in Dublin; probably her husband only went to London to make preparations for an extended campaign in Dublin. In a month’s time he returned, and resided with his wife at a house “over against the Ram in Aungier-street” near the Theatre. We obtain intelligence of their doings from an advertisement in Faulkner’s Journal of September 25-28,—“The Charitable and Musical Society” announced the commencement of the season by a concert to be given on the 8th of October. Special attention is directed to the fact that “they have provided a fine Organ, and have engaged the celebrated Mrs. Arne to sing”; the day after the performance the Journal reported, “Last Night the Charitable and Musical Society opened their first Concert to a very numerous and polite Assembly of Ladies and Gentlemen, when Mrs. Arne (tho’ extremely ill of a Cold) sang with universal applause.” She speedily recovered and with her husband gave a concert in the following December. The Journal of November 27-30 contained the following announcement: “We hear that on Friday next [Dec. 3] being particularly desir’d, at the Great Room in Fishamble Street, Mrs. Arne will sing the Song Sweet Bird, accompanied on the Violin by Mr. Arne. And that he intends between the Acts of his Serenatas, Operas, and other Musical Performances, to intermix Comic Interludes (after the Italian Manner), amongst which will be perform’d Tom Thumb, the Original Burlesque Opera compos’d by him, the Dragon of Wantley, Miss Lucy in Town, etc. Intended to give Relief to that grave Attention, necessary to be kept up in Serious Performances. Which he intends shall begin in January next.” We learn from this the evident intention of Arne to make a lengthened stay in the city which had received him and his wife with so much favour. It is likewise interesting to note that hitherto he had acted as harpsichord accompanist, and now proposed exhibiting his excellent skill as a solo violinist. The obbligato to the song “Sweet Bird,” from Handel’s “Allegro,” was composed for a flute, by no means an easy task for a violin player at that time. The “Charitable Musical Society,” evidently satisfied with Mrs. Arne’s performance, on the 17th of December engaged her for another concert given “for the Benefit and Enlargement of Prisoners confined for Debt, in the several Marshalseas in this City.” An advertisement announced “On Tuesday next, being the 14th of December, at 12 o’clock at Noon will be the Rehearsal of Acis and Galatea, with the celebrated Coronation Anthem called Zadok the Priest, composed by Mr. Handel. Mr. Dubourg will perform a new Solo. The Performance will be on Friday the 17th, at 6 in the Evening. The Gentlemen of the Choir of each Cathedral will assist,[8] with Mrs. Arne, Mrs. Storer, Mr. Colgan, and others. Tickets to be had at half a Guinea each, from Mr. Neal, at the said Musick Hall. A Rehearsal Ticket will be delivered with the Ticket for the Performance, as it was for the Messiah.” “There are great Numbers of Tickets already disposed of for the Musical Entertainment of Acis and Galatea; and it is not doubted but the Ladies of this Kingdom who so eminently distinguish themselves for their great Virtue and Charity, will, upon this Occasion, exert themselves by promoting this Charity, many of them, of great Quality and Distinction, having come to a Resolution not to wear any Hoops next Friday, as it will be a Means of admitting more People into the Hall than usual.”

In this month, December 11-14, the Journal made an announcement of considerable importance: “Mr. Swan being desirous to entertain the Town in the best manner possible, has contracted with Mr. Arne, for Mrs. Arne, Mrs. Baildon, Mrs. Sybilla, and other singers belonging to him, to perform in the Masque of Comus, written by Milton, and set to Musick by Mr. Arne. The Choruses will be properly performed, and Mr. Arne will accompany the Performance, which will be exhibited on Monday next, being the 10th inst. Jan. N.B. The Orchestra will be doubled, and there will be a Row at the Pit enclosed for the Musick.” The same Journal of the 4-8th January, 1743, gave more details: “By His Majesty’s Company of Comedians, at the Theatre Royal in Aungier-street, on Monday next, being the 10th inst. Jan. will be performed a Dramatick Masque called Comus, written by Milton. The Musick, vocal and instrumental, composed by Mr. Arne. The Part of Comus, by Mr. Swan; a pastoral Nymph, and the Part of Sabrina, by Mrs. Arne; the principal Bacchanal, by Mrs. Baildon, from London; the Lady’s Song (Sweet Echo) by Mrs. Arne, accompany’d by Mr. Neal, from England, who performed it originally; the second pastoral Nymph by Mrs. Sybilla, a Scholar of Mr. Arne’s; the Part of Euphrosyne to be performed by Miss Davis. With all the Choruses performed in Parts, as originally in England, and never done here before. The original Prologue to be spoke by Mr. Swan, and the Epilogue by Mrs. Furnival. A Row of the Pit will be taken into the Orchestra, there being an extraordinary Band of Musick provided on this occasion. The whole conducted by Mr. Arne, who accompanies the Performance on the Harpsichord. With new Habits, Scenes, Machines, Risings, Sinkings, Flyings, and other Decorations. It is hoped it will not be taken ill, that none can be admitted behind the Scenes. N.B. This Performance being exhibited at a much greater Expense than any Theatrical Entertainment in this Kingdom, we are obliged to lay the Pit and Boxes together at 5s. 5d. Lattaces, 5s. 5d. Gallery, 2s. 8d. halfp.” The foregoing advertisement is brim full of interesting matter; we see that Mr. Arne was a tower of strength; that Mr. Neal was the solo flautist at the first performance of “Comus,” in Drury Lane Theatre; the choruses, performed in parts, were taken from Handel, as in London; also that Mr. Arne conducted and accompanied, according to the fashion of the day, at the harpsichord. The artistic venture of Mr. Swan met with due reward; “Comus” was successfully repeated on the 13th, 20th, and 24th of January, and again on the 8th of February for the benefit of Mr. Swan; finally, on the 21st of April, Mr. Neal took a benefit at the Smock Alley Theatre on the 1st of February, when he exhibited his versatility; the Journal announced “Between the Acts, Mr. Neale will perform a Solo and Concerte on the Hautboy, with a Piece on the German Flute. Mr. Charles and his Second will perform a Concerto on the French Horn, and Mr. Storer will sing a favourite Song. Master Neale, a child of ten Years old, will perform a Concerto on the Violin, and Elin a Roon, with all its Variations.” This advertisement is of importance, showing that Arne had excellent orchestral players. Mr. Charles[9] was a very skilful performer; possibly he had been one of the Drury Lane orchestra. On the following 10th of February, Mrs. Arne had a benefit at the Theatre Royal, Aungier Street, when the programme consisted of “A Grand Serenata, call’d Love and Glory; composed by Mr. Arne, in Honour of the Nuptials of His Royal Highness Frederick Prince of Wales, with the Princess Augusta. After the Serenata, a new Farce call’d Miss Lucy in Town,[10] with all the songs composed by Mr. Arne, and performed at the Theatre-Royal in Drury Lane.”

A concert was given at the Music Hall in Fishamble Street, on the 4th of May, for the benefit of the Charitable Infirmary, when Handel’s “Alexander’s Feast” was performed. Mr. Arne conducted and Mrs. Arne sang; “the Gentlemen of the Choirs of both Cathedrals and several other voices” assisted. On Saturday, the 7th, three days afterwards, Mr. Arne had a benefit at the Theatre Royal in Aungier Street, when the bill consisted of “an Opera called Rosamond, Written by the celebrated Mr. Addison, and set to Musick by Mr. Arne: King Henry, Mr. Baildon; Sir Trusty, Mr. Layfield; Page, Master Pilkington; being the first Time of his Appearance on any Stage; Rosamond, Mrs. Sybilla; Grideline, Miss Davis; and the part of Queen Eleanor to be performed by Mrs. Arne, After which will be performed the original comic burlesque Opera called Tom Thumb. The Part of Tom Thumb by Master Pilkington; King, Mr. Baildon; Lord Grizzel, Mr. Layfield; Queen Dollallolla, Miss Davis; Princess, Huncamunca, Mrs. Sybilla; all the other characters, as Noodle, Doodle, Foodle, Giantess, Conjurer, etc., by a select Company of burlesque Opera Singers. To prevent Mistakes, Ladies are desired to take their Places in Time, and on the Day of Performance to send their Servants to keep Places before five o’clock.”

The above programme was announced for repetition on the 27th of May, for the benefit of Mr. Baildon and Mrs. Sybilla, but Mrs. Arne was attacked by one of her frequent illnesses, which on this occasion proved so serious, that her physician forbade her attempting to perform “at the Hazard of her Life.” In June she had so far recovered that the deferred benefit was announced for the 11th of June, “being positively the last time of Mr. Arne’s exhibiting any Performance this Season.”

Faulkner’s Journal, Oct. 22-25, announced that “Mr. Dubourg[11] and Mr. Arne are to have six Oratorios of Mr. Handel’s performed this Season by Subscription, in which Mr. Lowe, Mrs. Arne, Mr. Colgan, and Mrs. Storer will perform the vocal Parts”; on the following Nov. 29-Dec. 3, an elaborate advertisement detailed Mr. Arne’s plans:—“Mr. Arne proposes to exhibit, at the Theatre-royal in Aungier-street, Four Performances in the manner of the Oratorios in London, viz.: Two Performances of the Distresses and Conquest of King Alfred, composed by Command of His Royal Highness Frederick Prince of Wales, and performed at his Palace at Cliefden, but never yet exhibited in Publick, and two Performances of a New Oratorio called The Death of Abel: Both composed by Mr. Arne. Subscription Three Guineas, Every Subscriber to have three Tickets on each Night of Performance. No Person (not subscribing) will be admitted into Pit, Boxes, or Lattices, under half-a-Guinea a single Ticket. The first Performance to begin as soon as one hundred Subscribers shall be obtained, of which fifty have already subscribed. Subscriptions are taken in by Mr. Arne, at his House in Aungier-street, near the Theatre. Mr. Arne has a few Books of the Works he has published, which he will dispose of at the following Prices, viz.: The complete Score of the Overture, Songs and Duettos in the Masque of Comus, 7s. The Songs in As you like it, and Twelfth Night, with the favourite Duetto in the Rival Queens, and other select Airs, 4s. 4d. And the Songs in the Beggar of Bethnel Green, with several new favourite Ballads annexed, 6s. 6d. Likewise, a curious Harpsichord from London, made by Kirkman, Tabell’s Foreman, which he will sell very reasonably.” A writer in the Dublin Journal at this time (November, 1743), said, “Mr. and Mrs. Arne are beyond comparison, in their way the most extraordinary Persons this Kingdom has seen. The Aungier Street Stage has now the very best Company of Players that ever was in this Kingdom, they are now better than any Company in London, and the Prices (except on very extraordinary Occasions) are at the lowest Rate.”

The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire commanded a performance of “The Beggar’s Opera” on December the 8th, at the Theatre Royal in Aungier Street, when Arne presided at the harpsichord, and also at seven representations which followed. At a benefit given for Mr. Lowe on the 17th, “Comus” was performed, with Mrs. Arne in the parts of the Pastoral Nymph and Sabrina, singing also, as usual, the Lady’s song, “Sweet Echo.” She again appeared with Mr. Arne at a benefit concert given for Signor Barbatielli, who had broken his leg. The advertisement announced, “Mr. Dubourg, is so kind as to perform, and will conduct the whole, assisted by Mr. Arne and Mr. Pasqualino, the Vocal Parts by Mrs. Arne, Mrs. Storer, Mr. Lowe, and Mr. Colgan. Tickets to be had at Mr. Barbatielli’s Lodgings in George’s Lane, opposite to Fade-street, and at the Musick hall, at 5s. 5d.—N.B. It is hoped that the Gentlemen and Ladies will be so good as to excuse Mr. Barbatielli’s personal Attendance, he lying under the Misfortune of a broken Leg. Ladies are requested to order their Coaches down Fishamble-street, for the more easy going in, as at Mr. Handell’s.”