Note 473 — Chapter XXVI · OPERA, CONCERTS, MUSIC.

Towards the end of 1710 Handel, who was then twenty-seven years of age, came over to England upon the invitation of several noblemen, whose acquaintance he had made at the Court of Hanover; and here he wrote, for Aaron Hill, who then managed the Haymarket Theatre, his opera of 'Rinaldo,' the first advertisement of which contains a silly blunder as to dates. 'By Subscription. At the Queen's Theatre in the Hay Market, this present Saturday being the 24th day of February, will be perform'd a new Opera, call'd Rinaldo. Tickets and Books will be delivered out at Mr. White's Chocolate House in St. James's Street, to Morrow and Saturday next.'[473] In 1712 appeared another of Handel's operas, 'Il Pastor Fido,' which was only performed four times.