Nice sharp corners, uncreased, tight spine, unmarked pages. Very minor edge-wear. First performed in 1728, The Beggar's Opera democratized opera for the English and would two centuries later serve as the source text for Brecht's The Threepenny Opera. This edition, which features a cover detail of one of William Hogarth's paintings depicting the trial of Macheath, was released by the once ubiquitous chain store's publishing arm when it was on its way up; a year later, B&N's flagship New York retail outlet would overtake London's Foyles bookshop to be the world's largest bookstore. Features a lengthy essay and in-depth textual commentary by Lewis, a bibliography, a chronology of Gay's life, and a reproduction of the title page from the original 1728 edition. Important research tool for understanding Hauptmann, Brecht, and Weill's adaptation to The Threepenny Opera. 143 pp. Theater.

Synopsis

‘Whore and rogue they call husband and wife: All professions be-rogue one another' The tale of Peachum, thief-taker and informer, conspiring to send the dashing and promiscuous highwayman Macheath to the gallows, became the theatrical sensation of the eighteenth century. In The Beggar’s Opera , John Gay turned conventions of Italian opera riotously upside-down, instead using traditional popular ballads and street tunes, while also indulging in political satire at the expense of the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole. Gay’s highly original depiction of the thieves, informers, prostitutes and highwaymen thronging the slums and prisons of the corrupt London underworld proved brilliantly successful in exposing the dark side of a corrupt and jaded society. Bryan Loughrey and T. O. Treadwell’s introduction examines the eighteenth-century background of musical theatre and opera, the changing cityscape of London and the corruption of the legal system. This edition also includes a note on the music in The Beggar’s Opera and suggestions for further reading.

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Details

Bookseller: Goodbar Books (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 931589
Title: The Beggar's Opera
Author: John Gay
Book Condition: Used - Very Good
Quantity Available: 1
Binding: Paperback
ISBN 10: 006492341X
ISBN 13: 9780064923415
Publisher: Barnes & Noble
Place of Publication: New York
Date Published: 1973

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Glossary

Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Title Page: A page at the front of a book which may contain the title of the book, any subtitles, the authors, contributors, editors, the...
New: A new book is a book previously not circulated to a buyer. Although a new book is typically free of any faults or defects, "new"...
Spine: The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
Tight: Used to mean that the binding of a book has not been overly loosened by frequent use.