A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre

by William H. Husk

LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS THEATRE stood nearly in the centre of the south side of Lincoln's Inn Fields, the principal entrance being in Portugal Street. It was erected by Christopher Rich, and opened (after his death) in 1714 by his son, John Rich, with Farquhar's comedy, 'The Recruiting Officer.' Here Rich first introduced his pantomimes, a curious mixture of masque and harlequinade, in which he himself, under the name of Lun, performed the part of Harlequin. Galliard was his composer, and Pepusch his music director. [Galliard; Pepusch.] Here 'The Beggar's Opera' was first produced in 1727. [Beggar's Opera.] Rich removing in 1732 to the new theatre in Covent Garden, the house in Lincoln's Inn Fields was let for a variety of purposes. Here in 1734 Italian operas were given, in opposition to Handel's at the King's Theatre, with Porpora as composer and Senesino as principal singer; and here, when Handel was compelled to quit the King's Theatre, he, in his turn, gave Italian operas, and also, occasionally, oratorio performances. His 'Dryden's Ode on St. Cecilia's day' was first performed here in 1739, and in 1740 his 'L' Allegro, Il Pensieroso, ed Il Moderato,' his serenata 'Parnasso in Festa,' and his operetta 'Hymen.' Plays were occasionally performed here until 1756, when the building was converted into a barrack. It was afterwards occupied as Spode and Copeland's 'Salopian China Warehouse,' until it was taken down in 1848 for the enlargement of the College of Surgeons. This theatre must not be confounded with two others which previously stood near the same spot, viz. the Duke's Theatre, erected by Sir William Davenant in 1662, and occupied until 1671, when the company removed to Dorset Garden Theatre, and the Theatre in Little Lincoln's Inn Fields, built upon the same site and opened in 1695 with Congreve's 'Love for Love,' and occupied until the company removed to the Queen's Theatre in 1705, when it was abandoned. [King's Theatre.]

[ W. H. H ]