4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great satire well performed, June 12, 2000
This review is from: Beggar's Opera (Audio CD)
The Beggar's opera was the most original work in english music in the 18th century. It was the first, most successful and best ballad opera. As a reaction to the grand opera, John Gay wrote a violent social satire and collected music mostly from popular english airs but also from Handel and from the genius Purcell. A composer from German origin, John Pepusch 'mixed the sauce', orchestrated the songs and wrote the overture. The result was great success which lead to many other ballad operas which were not as winning as this and are now forgotten. Sir Malcolm Sargent directs an outstanding performance and the soloists can hardly be bettered. The linking dialogues is spoken by actors. This recording from 1955 is nothing less than astonishing. You will not find a more poignant satire than this.
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