Beyond 'The Beggar’s Opera': John Rich and English Ballad Opera. In: 'The Stage’s Glory’: John Rich (1692-1761)

Berta Joncus, Vanessa Rogers, Jeremy Barlow (Editor), Berta Joncus (Editor)

Research output: Book Chapter in Bookpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter outlines the significance of ballad opera in the career of John Rich, the founder of Covent Garden. John Rich helped father ballad opera, agreeing to mount John Gay's 'Beggar's Opera' after Drury Lane rejected Gay's manuscript. Thereafter, however, Rich was unable to maintain his hold over the ballad opera market, despite the popularity of the 'Beggar's Opera'. This was not for want of ingenious experiments, which included mounting John Gay's second ballad opera, 'Achilles', and The Cobler's Opera, crafted around the star of The Beggar's Opera, Lavinia Fenton.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 2011

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