 | The Island Princess, or The Generous Portuguese |  |
To the Reader.
Tho'
Mr. Fletcher's Island Princess was frequently Acted of old, and Revived
twelve years ago, with some alterations, the Fudicious seem satisfy'd, that
it wou'd hardly have been relish'd now on the Stage. As I found it not unfit to be made
what we here call an Opera, I undertook to revise it, but not as I wou'd have done, had
I design'd a correct Play. Let this at once satisfie the Modern Critics, and the Zealous
Admirers of Old Plays; for I neither intended to make it regular, nor to keep in all
that I lik'd in the Original, but only what I thought fit for my Purpose, and the success
has answer'd my intent, far beyond Expectation. However, I am not willing to
attribute it to my self, but chiefly to the Excellency of the Musical Part. What Mr.
Daniel Purcel has set is so fine, that as he seems inspir'd with his Brother's wonderful
Genius, it cannot but be equally admir'd. The Notes of the Interlude set by Mr.
Clarke have air and humour that crown 'em with Applause: And the Dialogue and
Enthusiastic Song, which Mr. Leveridge set, are too particularly lik'd not to engage
one to thank him for gracing my words with his Composition, as much as for his celebrated
singing; Nor must I omit Mr. Pate's admirable Performance, which, with Mr. Leveridge's,
gives life to the whole Entertainment.
I should now say something in answer to two late Books in which the Discourse about
the Lawfulness and Unlawfulness of the Stage, printed before Beauty in Distress is
examin'd: but I am too much engag'd in other matters to do my Friend and my self
that Justice at present. Yet if the doubting Gentleman will be pleas'd to meet the
Booksellers and Me, they and I can convince him or any Friend of his that the Discourse
was really English'd and sent me by the person mentioned in the Title.
The Dialogue in the 4th Act, should have been sung in the first Entertainment,
which, as well as the last, is not very proper for that place, nor wou'd I have let 'em
appear thus but for Reasons as improper to be mention'd here.
| The Island Princess, or The Generous Portuguese | |