Author
John Gay
1685-1732
John Gay (1685-1732) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
WikipediaBooks by John Gay
The Beggar's Opera; to Which is Prefixed the Musick to Each Song
"The Beggar's Opera; to Which is Prefixed the Musick to Each Song by John Gay" is a ballad opera written in 1728 with music arranged by Johann Christoph Pepusch. Set among London's thieves and criminals, this groundbreaking work satirizes Italian opera, corrupt politicians, and social inequality. Using familiar folk tunes instead of grand arias, it tells a story where ordinary criminals mirror the behavior of society's elite. The piece became a sensation, running for an unprecedented 62 consecutive performances and establishing itself as the eighteenth century's most popular play.
The Beggar's Opera
"The Beggar's Opera" by John Gay is a ballad opera written in 1728 with music arranged by Johann Christoph Pepusch. This groundbreaking work satirizes Italian opera, corrupt politics, and social injustice by featuring thieves, whores, and ordinary criminals instead of grand operatic heroes. Set to popular folk tunes and familiar melodies, it lampoons notable politicians like Robert Walpole and real-life criminals while comparing low-class rogues with their aristocratic counterparts. The premiere became a sensation, running for 62 consecutive performances and launching it as the most popular play of the eighteenth century.
Three Hours after Marriage
"Three Hours after Marriage" by John Gay, John Arbuthnot, and Alexander Pope is a satirical farce written in 1717. The play follows Doctor Fossil, a pompous aging scientist who marries a much younger woman, Mrs. Townley. She is immediately pursued by two rival suitors who devise elaborate schemes to hide their intentions from her suspicious husband. The plot grows more chaotic with the addition of a female poet and a literary critic, creating a comedy that targets real London figures of the era.