Copy letters from Charles Sackville, Earl of Middlesex (2nd Duke of Dorset) to Mr Monticelli

This material is held atThe Devonshire Collection Archives, Chatsworth

  • Reference
    • GB 2495 CS1/312.0
  • Dates of Creation
    • 19 April 1745- 7 July 1746
  • Physical Description
    • 1 sheet

Scope and Content

In the first copy letter, the author writes to the principal singer, concerning his opera company and Monticelli's management of them in Vienna. He writes asking of news of the youngest Imer's accident and various plans he has for reducing the expenses of the company and their voyage over to England to perform firstly Seipione. He mentions Heidegger's willingness to a share in the undertaking but Lord Middlesex having sole and absolute power of the direction of it and asks about Monticelli's salary being 700 guineas with benefits rather than 1000, as a good example to the rest of the company.

The second and third copy letters are written in a different tone, when the relationship between Lord Middlesex and Monticelli has clearly soured over the payment and benefits Moticelli received and the way each has treated the other, both seeing the other as being disrespectful.

Administrative / Biographical History

Sackville, Charles 1711 - 1769 [(1720) Earl of Middlesex; (1765) Duke of Dorset]