A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Swiny, Owen
SWINY, Owen, frequently called Mac Swiny, 'a gentleman born in [1]Ireland.' In a letter,[2] dated Oct. 5, 1706, and addressed to Colley Cibber, whom he calls in turn 'puppy,' 'his Angel' (twice), 'his Dear,' and finally 'Unbeliever,'—this singular person describes how Rich had sent for him from his 'Quarters in the North,' and how 'he was at a great charge in coming to town, and it cost him a great deal of money last winter,' and 'he served him night and day, nay, all night and all day, for nine months.' He had 'quitted his post in the army' on the faith of promises that, in return for managing 'the playhouse in the Haymarkett' under Rich, he was to have '100 Guineas per annum Salary, a place at Court, and the Devil and all.' This was the somewhat inauspicious beginning of Swiny's theatrical career. Having come up to London, as described, in 1705, he soon found that Rich intended nothing seriously for his advantage; and he announces (in the same letter) that, in consequence of the general discontent of the actors with Rich, and although Rich might have had the house for £3 or £3 10s. a day, he (Swiny) had taken a lease for seven years at £5 a day, and meant to begin in a few days.
In 1707 we find him in partnership with Wilks, Dogget, and Cibber in the King's Theatre, having taken the lease from Vanbrugh, and very soon quarrelling with them and petitioning the Lord Chamberlain's interference in his favour. He was mixed up in most of the quarrels and intrigues of the time.
In May, 1709, Swiny engaged the famous Nicolini for three years, that great singer having recently made a most successful début in London. Before the completion of this term, however, Swiny appears to have 'absented himself from his creditors' and become bankrupt.
After this, he lived for some years in Italy; but, on his return to England, a place in the Custom-house was found for him, and he was appointed Keeper of the King's Mews. While in Italy, with Lord Boyne and Walpole, he wrote to Colman (July 12, 1730) from Bologna, on the subject of engaging singers for the Opera, then in the hands of Handel. Swiny died October 2, 1754, leaving his fortune to Mrs. Woffington. He was the author of several dramatic pieces, viz. 'The Quacks, or Love's the Physician' (1705); 'Camilla' (1706); 'Pyrrhus and Demetrius' (1709); and 'The Quacks, or Love's the Physician,' an altered version of the first piece.
Two years before his death, a fine portrait of Swiny, after Van Loo, was scraped in mezzotint by J. Faber, junr. It represents him, in black velvet, holding in his hand a book, of which the title seems to be 'Don Quixote.'