The Music of John Gay's The Beggar's Opera: Performing Score
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Author Description
Edited And Arranged From Eighteenth-century Sources By Jeremy Barlow. Fully Scored Overture And Basses By John Pepusch; Words By John Gay. Includes Prefatory Material, Critical Commentary, And Bibliographical References.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This volume investigates the authentic musical structure and performance requirements of John Gay's 1728 ballad opera, The Beggar's Opera. Jeremy Barlow, a noted musicologist and performer, utilizes eighteenth-century source materials to reconstruct a performance score that balances historical accuracy with practical utility for modern musicians.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A fully scored overture and bass lines originally composed by John Pepusch.
- Critical commentary regarding the evolution of the score from its premiere to later iterations.
- Bibliographical references for further research into eighteenth-century ballad opera performance practices.
Scope Limits
- This volume does not provide a comprehensive history of the theatrical staging or costume design of the original production.
- It focuses primarily on the musical arrangement rather than a deep literary analysis of the libretto.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Musicologists and performers frequently cite this edition as a standard reference for those seeking to understand the musical foundations of the ballad opera genre. Experts highlight the clarity of Barlow's editorial process and the accessibility of the score for contemporary ensembles.
Page Count:
0
Publication Date:
1990-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford Univ. Press,
ISBN-10:
0193363062
ISBN-13:
9780193363069
Music
Opera
Musicology
Music History
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