Arne, Thomas Augustine. (1710-1778) [Metastasio, Pietro. (1698–1782)].Artaxerxes. An English Opera. As it is Performed / At the Theatre-Royal / In / Covent-Garden [Printed Libretto]. London: Printed for J. and R. Tonson. 1764. Disbound upright 12mo. 48 pp. In English. Includes title, preface by the unnamed translator, argument, character list with performers and catalog of recently published libretti. 7.5 x 4.75 inches (19 x 11.8 cm). In fine condition.
An English opera seria in three acts based on Metastasio's 1729 Artaserse libretto by the composer now best known for "Rule, Britannia!" The English translation is believed to be Arne's own work. The first production opened on February 2, 1762, to great success. The opera remained in the repertory for 70 years, even though a fire destroyed the original score in 1808, and only an abridged version survived. The performance on February 24, 1763 achieved notoriety. The Gentleman's Magazine wrote at the time:
"Riot over the abolition of half price admission fees at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, during a 1763 performance of Artaxerxes
The mischief done was the greatest ever known on any occasion of the like kind: all the benches of the boxes and pit being entirely tore up, the glasses and chandeliers broken, and the linings of the boxes cut to pieces. The rashness of the rioters was so great, that they cut away the wooden pillars between the boxes, so if the inside of them had not been iron, they would have brought down the galleries upon their heads."
Arne, Thomas Augustine. (1710-1778) [Metastasio, Pietro. (1698–1782)] Artaxerxes. An English Opera. As it is Performed / At the Theatre-Royal / In / Covent-Garden [Printed Libretto]
Arne, Thomas Augustine. (1710-1778) [Metastasio, Pietro. (1698–1782)].Artaxerxes. An English Opera. As it is Performed / At the Theatre-Royal / In / Covent-Garden [Printed Libretto]. London: Printed for J. and R. Tonson. 1764. Disbound upright 12mo. 48 pp. In English. Includes title, preface by the unnamed translator, argument, character list with performers and catalog of recently published libretti. 7.5 x 4.75 inches (19 x 11.8 cm). In fine condition.
An English opera seria in three acts based on Metastasio's 1729 Artaserse libretto by the composer now best known for "Rule, Britannia!" The English translation is believed to be Arne's own work. The first production opened on February 2, 1762, to great success. The opera remained in the repertory for 70 years, even though a fire destroyed the original score in 1808, and only an abridged version survived. The performance on February 24, 1763 achieved notoriety. The Gentleman's Magazine wrote at the time:
"Riot over the abolition of half price admission fees at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, during a 1763 performance of Artaxerxes
The mischief done was the greatest ever known on any occasion of the like kind: all the benches of the boxes and pit being entirely tore up, the glasses and chandeliers broken, and the linings of the boxes cut to pieces. The rashness of the rioters was so great, that they cut away the wooden pillars between the boxes, so if the inside of them had not been iron, they would have brought down the galleries upon their heads."
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