GAY, John.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

The Beggar's Opera. First edition, a handsomely bound copy of Gay's satirical ballad opera on the royal court. The play premiered on 29 January 1728 at Lincoln's Inn Fields and was an immediate triumph, enjoying a run of 62 consecutive performances in its opening season. It continues to be performed worldwide.A satire of the Italian opera, the play "had several consequences, one of which was the death of the vogue for Italian opera in England. [It inspired] a host of imitations, parodies, and Beggar-mania bric-à-brac, ranging from playing cards to fans and fire screens... The Beggar's Opera in particular has kept Gay's memory green. It was performed nearly every year until the 1880s. Revived in 1920 by Nigel Playfair at the Lyric, Hammersmith, it ran without a break for 1463 performances, the longest run of any opera" (ODNB).This first impression has 58 pages of text. A new impression added a song with bars of music on page 53, extending the contents to 59 pages.

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