The Beggar's Opera
by Gay, John
‘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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![The Beggar's Opera: As it is Acted At the Theatre-Royal in Lincolns-Inn Fields. Written by Mr. Gay. the Fourth Edition: to Which is Added the Ouverture in Score; and the Musick Prefix'd to Each Song](https://d3525k1ryd2155.cloudfront.net/h/084/886/811886084.0.m.jpg)
The Beggar's Opera: As it is Acted At the Theatre-Royal in Lincolns-Inn Fields. Written by Mr. Gay. the Fourth Edition: to Which is Added the Ouverture in Score; and the Musick Prefix'd to Each Song
by Gay, John
- Condition
- Used - Very Good with no dust jacket; Boards rubbed and splayed, some light foxing and toning, particularly at first and last several
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- Fourth Edition
- Published
- 1735
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- Hardcover
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![The Beggar’s Opera: The Full Text of the 1777 edition, reprinted in connection with the Performances of a New Musical Version realised from the Original Airs by Benjamin Britten](https://d3525k1ryd2155.cloudfront.net/h/644/294/1355294644.0.m.jpg)
The Beggar’s Opera: The Full Text of the 1777 edition, reprinted in connection with the Performances of a New Musical Version realised from the Original Airs by Benjamin Britten
by John Gay
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- Used - Very Good
- Published
- 1948
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- Paperback
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The Beggar's Opera (Regents Restoration Drama Series)
by Gay, John ; edited by Edgar V. Roberts
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- 1990
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- Soft cover
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- 9780803253612
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[Gay, John] The Beggar's Opera
by Gay, John
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- Used
- Published
- 1728
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The Beggar's Opera
by Gay, John
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Edition
- Signed Limited Edition
- Published
- 1921
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- Gilt-decorated Boards
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The Beggar's Opera: to Which Is Added the Music to Each Song
by Gay, John
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- Used - Very Good +
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- 1937
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The Beggar's Opera
by John Gay
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Slip case VG
- Edition
- First Thus
- Published
- 1961
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- Quarter bound in brown leather over fine patterned covered boards
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The Beggar's Opera
by John Gay
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- Used - Very Good+
- Published
- 1937
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- Hardcover
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The Beggar's Opera
by Gay, John
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- Used - VG
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- No dj
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- Hardcover
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The Beggar's Opera
by Gay, John. With an Introduction by Oswald Doughty
- Condition
- Used - Very good in like dust jacket
- Edition
- LIMITED EDITION of 950 copies sold.
- Published
- 1922
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- Hard with Dust Jacket
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The Beggar's Opera
by Gay, John
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
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- Edition
- First Thus.
- Published
- 1922
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- Hardcover
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Chico, California, USA
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The Beggar's Opera - Regents Restoration Drama Series Series
by John Gay
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- Used - Good
- Edition
- Reprint
- Published
- 1984
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- Medium Trade Paperback
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- 9780713154887
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Traralgon, Victoria, AUS
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The Beggar's Opera (New Mermaids)
by John Gay
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Beggar's Opera, The (SIGNED BY ILLUSTRATOR, LIMITED EDITION)
by Gay, John
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- Used - Very Good
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- 1st
- Published
- 1937
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- Hardcover
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![The Beggar's Opera: A Faithful Reproduction of the 1729 Edition Which Includes the Words and Music of all the Airs, As Well As the Score for the Overture](https://d3525k1ryd2155.cloudfront.net/h/612/388/1279388612.0.m.jpg)
The Beggar's Opera: A Faithful Reproduction of the 1729 Edition Which Includes the Words and Music of all the Airs, As Well As the Score for the Overture
by Gay, John
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- Reprint
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- 1961
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- Hardcover
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The Beggar's Opera (Penguin Classics)
by Gay, John
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- 1987-01-06
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- Paperback
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- 9780140432206
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The Beggar's Opera
by Gay, John
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- Used - Very good
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- Later printing
- Published
- 1986
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- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780140432206
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The Beggar's Opera (Regents Restoration Drama Series)
by John Gay
- Condition
- Used - VG
- Published
- 1969
- Binding
- Soft cover
- ISBN
- 9780803253612
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Hove, East Sussex, GBR
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The Throat
by Straub, Peter
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 1994
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780451179180
- Quantity Available
- 1
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The Beggar's Opera
by John Gay
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Published
- 1973
- ISBN
- 9780064923415
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Cottage Grove, Oregon, USA
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