"I believe I might take more pleasure in an opera, if they had not made such a monster of that species of dramatic entertainment as perfectly shocks me; and I am amazed how people can bear to see wretched tragedies set to music; where the scenes are contrived for no other purpose than to lug in, as it were by the ears, three or four ridiculous songs, to give a favorite actress an opportunity of exhibiting her pipe. Let who will die away in raptures at the trills of a eunuch quavering the majestic part of Caesar or Cato, and strutting in a foolish manner upon the stage, but for my part I have long ago renounced these paltry entertainments, which constitute the glory of modern Italy, and are so dearly purchased by crowned heads."
Mas me agradaría la ópera, si no hubieran atinado con el arte de convertirla en un monstruo que me repugna. Vaya quien quisiere á ver malas tragedias en música, cuyas escenas no paran en mas que en traer al estricote dos ó tres ridiculas coplas donde lucen los gorgeos de una cantarina; saboréese otro en oir á un tiple tararear el papel de César ó Caton, y pasearse en afeminados pasos por las tablas: yo por mí, muchos años hace que no veo semejantes majaderías de que tanto se ufana hoy la Italia, y que tan caras pagan los soberanos extrangeros.