About this Item
8vo. 8.25 x 5.25 inches. 59 pp. Pagination irregular, pp. 41-48 misnumbered 59-56, but register is complete. Theatre libretto in stitched binding. Some wear and occasional spotting and staining consistent with age, but otherwise a very good copy. Initials and date Decem. 13 1740 at foot of front wrapper. Decorated by head and tailpiece vignettes. Libretto of a stage adaptation of John Milton's masque, Comus, written for recital at Ludlow Castle in 1634 and first performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, March 1738 The premiere cast list is given and includes Susanna Maria Cibber as A Lady, James Quinn as Comus, a Magician and the two sopranos, Catherine 'Kitty' Clive as Euphrosyne, a Grace and Cecilia Arne as Sabrina, a Nymph. Henry Lawes (1596-1662) was the composer of the original vocal music for the Masque, but the music for this adaptation was by Thomas Arne (1710-78), a leading theatrical composer of the time, best known for his patriotic song, Rule Britannia! His wife, Cecilia, nee Young (1712-89), a famous soprano who had appeared in several of Handel's productions, sings the part of Sabrina here. That of Euphrosyne was song by the actress and singer, Catherine Kitty Clive (1711-85) who also performed for Handel. Another singer, popular with the composer was Susanna Maria Cibber, nee Arne (1714-66), the sister of Thomas Arne, who plays the role of the Lady and later became a famous tragic actress and David Garrick's leading lady at Drury Lane. In 1734 she had married the actor, playwright and author, Theophilus Cibber (1703-58), whose father, Colley had been manager of Drury Lane, and who plays the role of the second brother of the lady. This adaptation of the masque was made by John Dalton (1709-1763) who wrote the libretto, and it proved very popular, with numerous later performances. A very scarce item. (ESTC T136370); (London Stage Database website). PERFORMING ARTS MILTON DRAMA 18TH CENTURY PERFORMING ARTS. Seller Inventory # 28049
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