The long delay in the recruitment of Lovattini meant that the 1774–5 opera buffa season began with something of a rush. It was just as well that the first work was to be La buona figliuola, for which little rehearsal with the singer would have been needed. The advertisements for the opening night suggest that he arrived at the very last moment. In a notice published on 13 December, the managers included his name in a list of singers for that day's performance, but the next day an apology appeared, which blamed the indisposition of the singer for the cancellation of the opening night: ‘The managers of the opera are extremely concerned for the Disappointment of the house last night at Sg Lovatini's illness. As soon as they were apprised of it they took every precaution by posting bills etc. and sent word to as many subscribers as time would permit.’ One has visions of Lovattini hurrying off the cross-Channel boat, rushing up to London for a last-minute dress rehearsal, and then collapsing with exhaustion. In the event La buona figliuola opened a week later on 20 December. A postponed opening night was becoming something of a habit with the Brooke-Yates management. The previous year's opening night had suffered a similar fate.