BARD’S MUSIC PROGRAM PRESENTS FREE PERFORMANCES OF THE BEGGAR’S OPERA ON MAY 7 AND 8

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.—On Friday, May 7, and Saturday, May 8, the Bard Music Program presents Beggar’s Opera. Free and open to the public, the program will begin at 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Holy Innocents at Bard College.

Originally performed in 1728 in London, the Beggar’s Opera was written by John Gay. "This ballad opera contains tunes that were popular during that time and was a tremendous success, temporarily putting Handel’s company out of business," according to Frederick Hammond, Irma Brandeis Professor of Romance Culture and Music History. "A political satire of Horace Walpole’s government, Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht based their Three Penny Opera on this work."

The Company of Beggars—including highwaymen and ladies of the night—includes Bard students David Dash as Player and Jemmy Twitcher, Adam Gallinat as Beggar and Crook-Finger’d Jack, Isaac Yager as Peachum, Manuel Pascual as Filch, Heather Petrie as Mrs. Peachum, Leslie Durum as Polly Peachum, Jon Margolick as Macheath, Vinny Taubner as Mat of the Mint, Geoffrey Wilson as Ben Budge, Brian Wolf as Lockit, Jacqi Anderson as Lucy Lockit, Laura Post as Jenny Diver, Kena Hazelwood as Diana Trapes, and Kathrin Nussbaumer as Mrs. Coaxer.

Beggar’s Opera is directed by Shelley Wyant, visiting assistant professor of theater, and musical preparation is provided by Bard professors Arthur Burrows, Joan Fuerstman, and Hammond, with assistance from James Bagwell. The stage manager is Ruy Maximilian, lighting design by John Musall’s Lighting Tutorial, costumes by Moe Schell’s Costume Tutorial, and Karen Cooke is the set and props coordinator.

For further information, call the Music Program at 845-758-7250.

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(4.23.2004)

This event was last updated on 04-26-2004

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