The popularity of Britten’s three chamber operas proper (The Rape of Lucretia, Albert Herring and The

Turn of the Screw) has tended to somewhat overshadow his brilliant adaptation of John Gay’s The

Beggar’s Opera, the realisation of which was completed in 1948.

First seen in 1728, this original ballad opera weaving popular tunes of the day from England, Scotland

and Ireland (with some Handel and Purcell thrown in) as it depicted the goings-on in London’s criminal

underworld. Many different versions have been made of The Beggar’s Opera, but Britten’s version, from

1948, stands out through its skilful, sensitive treatment of the original music realized from the original

airs. Britten’s interest in The Beggar’s Opera as a vehicle for the newly-formed English Opera Group

stemmed naturally from his love of folk-song. Britten used 66 of the original 69 airs and twice combined

two of the songs. He described the airs as “the most characteristically English of any of our folk-songs.”

In January 2009 The Royal Opera presented a new production directed by Justin Way, featuring a strong

cast of Royal Opera performers including Tom Randle as Macheath, Jeremy White as Peachum, Leah-

Marian Jones’s as Polly and Sarah Fox as Lucy. They are ably accompanied by the City of London

Sinfonia, conducted by Christian Curnyn. This recording was made between these performances.

The Stage noted ‘The cast is beyond reproach. Jeremy White sings, acts and delivers his dialogue as

Peachum with equal naturalness, Leah-Marian Jones struts her stuff uninhibitedly as Polly and Sarah Fox

as Macheath’s other lovestruck devotee, Lucy Lockit, sings affectingly, not least in her If Love’s a Sweet

Passion. But Tom Randle truly anchors the cast. He gives Macheath a somehow likeable sheen,

impressing as much with his vocal and acting talents and, before the philanderer’s sudden reprieve at the

opera’s end, elicits genuine pity as a condemned man.’ The Stage

Also available:

CHAN 9254(2) The Rape of Lucretia

CHAN 10036(2) Albert Herring

CHAN 9826(3) Billy Budd

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

The Beggar’s Opera, Op 43

Realised from the original airs of John Gay’s ballad

opera

Tom Randle (tenor) / Leah-Marian Jones (mezzo soprano)

/ Sarah Fox (soprano) / Jeremy White (bass) / Susan

Bickley (mezzo-soprano) / Donald Maxwell (baritone) /

Robert Anthony Gardiner (tenor or speaking role) /

Frances McCafferty (contralto) / Sirena Tocco (actor) /

Chorus

City of London Sinfonia, Christian Curnyn

CHAN 10548(2)

Dealer Price 2-CD FULL PRICE

ISRC: GBLWD09066NN and GBLWD09067NN

Barcode: 0 95115 15482 3

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Realised from the original airs of John Gay’s ballad opera