Beggars Opera

The Beggars Opera, penned by John Gay in 1728 and featuring music arranged by Johann Christoph Pepusch, is a brilliant ballad opera that cleverly satirizes the Italian opera craze sweeping London at the time. Instead of grand historical or mythological figures, this engaging piece tells the story of beggars, highwaymen, and women of the town, all set to the lively tunes of popular street ballads, hymns, and folk songs from the era, including melodies inspired by Handel and others. With a remarkable run of 62 performances—an astounding record for any play in 18th-century England—the opera saw a revival in 1920 and further acclaim, inspiring Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill to create their own adaptation, Die Dreigroschenoper. (Summary by Alan Mapstone)