Star.
London, England, 1818-06-22 00:00:00

EXORBITANT DEMANDS ,QF FOREIGN
DANCERS AND SINGERS.

A Pamphlet has been just published by Mr. WA-H
TERS, Proprietor of the Kings Theatre, in vindica-
tion of his conduct in the management of that esta:
blishment. After a variety of plain but interesting
statements, Mr. WATERS proceeds to repel the charge
brought against him of neglecting to engage per-
formers of acknowledged eminence on the Continent:
" One of the charges against the management has been its
neglect of looking to the Continent for distinguished performers.
I give a few letters which may assist in forming an estimate of
the diligence exerted to form those engagements, and of the ex-
travagant demands which leading artists are in the habit of
making, through misrepresentations from this country, and
which they are not likely to make more rational when they shall
have begun to believe that a standing Committee exists, to force
their acceptance on their own terms. Forobvious reasons, only
the initials are given, but the original letters may be seen by any
subscriber or box-bolder at the King's Theatre
(LITERAL TRANSLATION 2.
Mademoiselle M-- to Monsieur suillet._
• •

hid]le. M— presents her compliments to Mons. Garnet and
in answer states, that the sum • mentioned between them yes-
terday morning fur the remainder of the season is too little to
answer her purpose.
(LITERAL TRANSLATION.)
Mademoiselle C.-- to Mr. Waters.

Marlamoiselie6=desires to have for three months' absence I
whidt she will employ in the Ballet at London, (:1000, a clear
benefit, two guineas a-day, her travelling expense, and her
autl'Port t•
(LITERAL TRANSLATION.)
Mademoiselle M to Mr. Waters.
have had the honour to wiles to you to inquire Whet
they the engagement you had the kindness to propose to me for
the year 1817, could be realised for 1818, with the condition at
1000 louts and a night, or 1900 without a night, the voyage to
be paid by you. I have the honour, tee. atc.
Musa, 1817.

--••
(LITERAL TRANSLATION.)
‘
Mademoiselle A. T--- to Mr. aters.
Sta—After the communication which has been made to me
by Mr. P. the British Secretary of Legation at of a
letta which you have written to him, relative to the terms on
which I should be willing to engage at the King's Theatre, at
London, I lose no time in forwarding to you my demand for
.0 one wle season:

1. 21300 salary.
2. My lodging paid.
3, My expenses for travelling repaid.
4. A free benefit with a new Ballet.
5. That I shall provide myself with ornaments only.
Upon these terms I am ready to sign an engagement, and to
oform to the cuotoms of your Theatre.
Turin, 1817. I have the honour, rte.
(LITERAL TRASSLATION.)
Mons. D-- to Mr. Waters.

Stx—Having quitted Petersburg, after beirg two years at
%lama, I have arrived in Naples, where I am at this time with
my wife, as first dancer, and where we have the honour to dance
in the presence of her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales,
who has condescended to give me hopes of letters for London,
when my contract at Naples is finished, viz. at the end of the
carnival ; for 1 have not engaged for a longer period, having a
design of visiting England. I should then be able to arrive there
in the course of next March, and to remain during April, May,
June, and July.—Engaging file as ballet-master and first dancer,
and my wife as first dancer and pantomime, we are willing to
dance *ix times per month.
Ist. Six hundrLd guineas secured fur every month, at a ban-
ker's as usual.
Say. A benefit free of all expenses, with a new ballet.
3dly. An apartment in the Theatre, and a table of three
courses d I I have the honour to be, with respect,
Your very humble servant, J.
(LITERAL TRANSLATION.)
Mom. V to Mr. Waters.
Sta—l had some time since the honour of commuricating to
you the terms on which I was willing to engage as first dancer
to your Theatre. bly demand then, would be, Ist, to haie A
salary of £l5OO ; ?Ally, a benefi: in the prime of the season, en-
tirely free of expense • 3dly, to be reimbursed the expense of
my voyage. I think, Sir, this is hardly too much, considering that
every thing is at London much dearer than ever it was before.
Paris, 1817. (Signed) V---.
It may not be unintereaing now to observe the
absurd and intolerable charges which Singers can'
make: (LITERAL TRANSLATION.)
Sign. to Mr. Waters.
Venice, 1817.
I acknowledge your two favours, dated 26th, ttuth October,
wherein you acknowledge mine. I observe, that in the first,
you promise to continae your correspondence with Inc fr nn
London, which place you were on the point of setting out front,
and where you would be anxious to hear respecting the
Singers, whom I proposed to you, but whom I am unable, this
year, to engage.
Prima Rama Seria, Siga. E. P. demands two thousand five
hundred pounds sterling, a free benefit, travelling expenses paid,
a table, and permission to make her debut in a man's character
in an opera which she will take with her.
Prima Donna Seria, Siga. A—, demands £l5OO sterling,
slx.covers, a free benefit, travelling expenses paid.
Prima Donna Bea a, Siga. asks £lOOO sterling,
free benefit, travelling expensi a paid.
Prima Tkiiimi Bala, Siga. L— Of this lady I will
send you particulars the earliest opportunity, and will let you
know whether she will accept your offer of 4700 sterling, and
a. 50 for travelling expenses.
Primo Tenore Serb e Buffo, Sig. B— C—, and Prima
Donna Buffo e 9eria, Siga. C— his wife, ask together
C iOO guineas, with the privilege to sing at concert, a dressing-
room,fesideen corers, the convenience iA a coach to the theatre,
and an advance of 2.30 guineas.
Primo Musico Sig. Gto. He asks ier.soo ster-
ling, the privilege to sing at coneerts, a free benefit, ar.d travel-

ling expenses.
You will, no doubt, exieet ne to give you an early account
of the demands of all those pr dess'rs of music who desire to
come to London; 1, therefore, think it a duty to communicate
to you all the Particulars I c Id collect, reserving farther ac..l
counts for my next, as I hive not yet received answers from
any of them. 1 must hive you to understand that the terms of II
all of them are for a whole season, to begin from the time that
they are caned upon to set out for London, and to terminate at
the period which shall be re.:l.:d upon in their agreement.
I have the honour to be, &c. &c. V.

(LITERAL TRANSLATION.)
Mademoiselle F.--- to Mr. Waters._

Milan, lath November.
Stagy—l received a letter of your's, to form with you a thea-
trical engagement for next year : I should not•he against accept-
ing it, if we could agree upon the conditions I propose, and my
demands are as follow
1 1. I intend, to be employed in your Theatre, as first comic
absolute singer, to sirs only in comic and semi-serious operas.
2. The first opera I am to appear in to be of my own choice,
and the singers wko are to perform in it to be to my satisfaction.
3. You will give me for my salary for the szid season, two
ihotvaitd guinea in gold, to be paid in equal payments monthly,
from the day of my arrival in London, until the end of the said
season.
4. A free benefit night, free of all expenses, and insured to
amount to 500 guineas, with liberty to give a new Opera.
5. An advance of 200 guineas, to be paid here in Milan, the
moment the engagement is signed.
6. That the management of the Royal Theatre are to furnish
me in all the Operas wherein I am to perform, the suitable
greater or lesser dresses to my satisfaction.
7. That I may be allowed the liberty to have any private
concert, it being always understood after my first appearance.
8. The accommodation of a carriage to take me to and from
the theatre at all times.
If Mr. Waters, the manager, ends my proposals convenient,
he may send me the engagemer.t here in Milan ; but I beg of
him, which ever way he decides, to answer me by the return