Richard Bonynge
Gay: The Beggar's Opera (2CD)
In 1981, Richard Bonynge, together with an illustrious cast of singers (Joan Sutherland, Kiri Te Kanawa, et. al.) and actors (Angela Lansbury, Warren Mitchell, Michael Hordern, et. al.) went into Kingsway Hall for a recording of a new edition (by Richard Bonynge and Douglas Gamley) of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera.
Written in 1728, it is a ballad opera in three acts (Ballad operas were satiric musical plays that used some of the conventions of opera, but without recitative. The lyrics of the airs in the piece are set to popular broadsheet ballads, opera arias, church hymns and folk tunes of the time.) Running for 62 consecutive performances, the piece notched up a record of the longest run in theatre history up to that time.
Unlike other existing recordings of The Beggar’s Opera, this new performing edition features opera stars alongside great actors as well as a full-size (double woodwind) orchestra. One of the most sought after of Sutherland/Bonynge collaborations, the original CD has long been out of print and here reappears with the original liner notes as well as the full libretto.
JOHN GAY
The Beggar’s Opera
Graham Clarke
Stafford Dean
John Gibbs
Michael Hordern
Kiri Te Kanawa
Angela Lansbury
Alfred Marks
Warren Mitchell
James Morris
Ann Murray
Regina Resnik
Rolfe Johnson
Joan Sutherland
Ann Wilkens
London Opera Chorus
National Philharmonic Orchestra
Richard Bonynge
Related Products

Various Artists
The Coronation Of Their Majesties King Charles III And Queen Camilla (Deluxe Edition 4CD)

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Tõnu Kaljuste
Arvo Pärt: Tractus (CD)

Sarah Aristidou, Aaron Pilsan, Luka Juhart, Alisa Weilerstein, Munich Chamber Orchestra, Clemens Schuldt, Andrè Schuen, Daniel Heide
Thomas Larcher: The Living Mountain (CD)
