Percival Leigh

“ Wonderfull how still all the House was while Sontag was a singing of "Deh! vieni non tardar," and the Bravas and Clapping of Hands when me had ended; and what did as much as any Thing please me in her Singing was to hear how she did stick to the Text, and not, like a vulgar silly Prima Donna, disfigure noble Musique by ridiculous Flourishes. The House extraordinary full, though the Season over; and to compare the fine Foreheads and Faces of an Audience come to hear good Musique with the insignificant Looks of mere common Opera-Goers! Methinks I could never hear Figaro often enough ”

“ Also her ringing of "Sull' Aria" with Parodi, the Countess, dictating the Letter to her; and Parodi did sing well too, and the mingling of their Voices very musicall. Likewise that jolly blooming she-Bacchus Alboni, who was Cherubino, with her passionate fine singing of "Non so pià" and "Voi che sapete" and all her singing, did delight me much; and she did play a Stripling of a Page in Love to the very Life. Belletti did mightily take me with his Knaveries, in Figaro, and singing of "Non pià andrai," which is a most lively and martial Song ”

“ Vieuxboys should tell me she do it as well now as he did see her twenty Years ago! Pretty, to hear her sing "Venite, inginocchiatevi" where she do make Cherubino kneel down on the Cushion before the Countess, and put him on a Girl's Cap, and pat his Chin and Face. ”