Marylebone Gardens

[2] Originally consisting of two bowling greens adjoining the Rose of Normandy tavern on the east side of Marylebone High Street, its size was increased to about eight acres by acquisition of land from Marylebone Manor House, which had been converted into a hunting lodge by Henry VIII and was later used as a boarding school, eventually being demolished in 1791.

Marylebone Gardens were officially reorganized as a venue for concerts and other entertainments in 1738 by Daniel Gough, the new proprietor of the Rose tavern.

Refreshments were another draw for the mid-century Marylebone Gardens, under the direction of the caterer John Trusler, who took over the management about 1756,[6] and presented public dinners and breakfasts.

[7] Many of the foremost London musicians and composers including George Frideric Handel[8] and James Hook performed works here, The original principal female singer was a Miss Faulkner and the orchestra was led by William Defesch.

In 1758, under the direction of Trusler's son, the Gardens gave the English premiere of Pergolesi's opera La serva padrona (in translation).