After the 1742 premiere of Handel’s “Messiah” at Neale’s Music Hall in Dublin, advertisements for subsequent performances asked a small “Favour” of future attendees: “That the Ladies who honour this Performance with their Presence would be pleased to come without Hoops as it will greatly encrease the Charity, by making Room for more Company.” (Gentlemen, meanwhile, were asked to consider leaving their swords at home.)