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VGW(HU.773.129
23 Sep 1773:21 (1156)
London, July 9. Extract of a letter from Oxford. The very
numerous and polite company at present here gives an
uncommon splendour to this city, . . . Among the number of
gentlemen admitted to degrees on this occasion, you will
hear with pleasure the name of the composer Arnold, who is
now Doctor in Musick. The University offered him an
honorary degree, which he very properly declined; and
performed, as an exercise, a new composition, which did him
more honour than even his new dignity. All the musical
world are here: Mrs. Sheridan, Miss Linley, Sig. Galli,
Giardini, Fischer, Eichner, Crosdeil, &c. I am just
preparing to go to The Prodigal Son, which is to be
performed this evening. It is pretty extraordinary, that,
although through Royal partiality this admirable production
never brought its author a saving house last spring, yet the
first minister should do so much justice to English genius
as to choose that in preference to any of Handel's
productions on this extraordinary occasion.
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