PREFACE.
Tho' all the Airs of this Opera are by the famous Scarlatti
and Buononcini, except a few by other great Masters,
neither the Words, the Thoughts, nor the Design owe
any thing to Italy, except the Advantage of the Musick; to
which, with more Pleasure yet than Pain, I have endeavour'd
to make 'em subservient: I hope those who would not have
Sense sacrific'd to Sound, nor the Mind displeas'd while the
Ears are entertain'd, will consider the Difficulties in working
so many Airs of different Kinds into one Subject, and in putting
Words wholly different from the Italian, to Songs so full
of pathetick Notes and nice Graces, in a Language perhaps too
manly for such Composures, if not manag'd with the utmost
Art. As here the Choice of the Songs was not my Province,
I may the better do Justice to the Gentleman who provided
that Part of the Entertainment. Tho' Musick is only his
Diversion, the best Masters allow him to be so good a Judge,
that I have no Reason to doubt but his Collection will be generally
approv'd; tho' 'tis impossible that, in such a Variety,
every Thing should please every particular Fancy. As for the
Recitative, Mr. Pepusch is known to be so great a Composer,
that there is no doubt but he has also done his Part in that,
and in adding such Ritornels, and other Musick, as were necessary
to make the whole a Compleat Opera.
