Engraving of Covent Garden Theatre 1808

This is an engraving of the old Theatre Royal, Covent Garden from the "Microcosm of London", published in 3 volumes between 1808-10. The architectural engraving was done by French emigré, Auguste Charles Pugin (father of the more famous Pugin who designed the Houses of Parliament) and the audience was engraved by the famous artist and cariacturist, Thomas Rowlandson. The engravings of the crowd are quite entertaining- there's a lot going on in the galleries! What is particularly interesting about this print is that it was published on 1st July 1808- only 3 months before the theatre burned down on 20th September and was then rebuilt by Robert Smirke in the grecian revival style. The prices then doubled, which led to 62 days of rioting in protest - known as the "Old Price Riots"! The old theatre was where many of Handel's works were first performed, although it was originally associated more with drama and did not become the "Royal Opera House" until 1892.