The Beggar’s Opera, written by John Gay and scored by Johann Christoph Pepusch, was a wildly popular production, premiering in 1728 and running for 62 consecutive performances. Consisting of folk tunes and the works of popular composers such as G.F. Handel and Henry Purcell, the Beggar’s Opera was a satirical ballad opera, the precursor to today’s musical theatre. It features a comical cast of eighteenth century society's lowest: from thieves, beggars, and highwaymen, to dishonorable soldiers and corrupt politicians, offering a not-so-discreet social commentary making fun of both the rich and the poor; while lampooning the era’s Italian opera craze. John Gay’s comedy had taken hold of London audiences who had grown weary of the serious Italian operas by composers like Handel. Handel remarked that his operas had been driven from the stage by ‘lumps of pudding,’ the name of the finale number from the Beggar’s Opera. I. Ouverture - J.C. Pepusch
Originally, Gay intended the opera to be performed a cappella, a new idea which would have made the experience even more jarring and shocking for 18th century London theatre-goers. The theatre company hoped to avoid this, and at the last minute Johann Christoph Pepusch was commissioned to write a French-style overture and arrange basses for all the musical numbers.
SCORE FOR SUITE:
A suite of sixteen simple yet charming baroque tunes from the Beggar’s Opera, arranged for three baroque flutes by Vincent Canciello. Most of the tunes originate from the musical traditions of the British Isles (unless otherwise indicated), with many selections coming from the collections of Thomas d'Urfey, in his 'Wit and Mirth, or Pills to Purge Melancholy.'
Recorded by Vincent Canciello on a Bernolin resin replica of a Christophe Delusse flute (Paris, c. 1760) at A-415 hz.
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