| Citation |
PJ.753.020
7 Jun 1753:21 (548)
Madrid, Feb. 13. Our carnaval is now at its highth; it
began on the 2d, at the palace of Buenretiro with a
splendour becoming the crown of Spain: Besides an
incessant, a variety of elegant amusements and brilliant
entertainments; the three celebrated operas of Demetrius,
Sirce, and Dido forsaken, are alternatively acted on the
Court Theatre, itself a sight, of or the exquisitness for
its decoration. The last of these operas is such a
masterpiece, that it never satiates; the oftner it is acted
the more rapturous is the admiration of the audience. A
description equal to its several beauties is what expression
cannot reach. The burning and inundation of Carthage, what
scenes are these, the stupendous contrast of these opposit
elements; the enchanting vicissitude exhibiting a large city
all in a flame, and the flames, again overwhelmed by the
waves of the sea; Neptune appears in a glittering coach
drawn by sea monsters, with a retinue of nereits, syrens,
and tritons; springs gushing, fountains springing, spouts
rising; Neptune's carr, the mouths of the nereids, the sea
monsters, and the trumps of the tritons ejecting water, and
waves clashing. Such a prospect! such variety! The ear,
the eye, every sense is enraptured. Were you, who have seen
the theatres of Versailles, London, Berlin, Naples, and
Venice, were even you hear, you would own all surpassed, in
voices, music, and machinery.
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