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The Early Music Show

BBC Radio 3
on BBC Radio 3

Beggars, Ballads and a Brouhaha
John Gay 's Beggar's Opera of 1728 celebrates 18th-century London street life, with beggars, cut-throats, thieves and prostitutes singing the popular ballads of the day. Lucie Skeaping looks at its inspiration, background and impact as a welcome and very British antidote to the fashionable Italian opera of the day, with all its excesses, pretensions and classical allusions.

Contributors

Unknown:
John Gay
Source: Radio Times

BBC Radio 3

About BBC Radio 3

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

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