John Gay's The Beggar's Opera - 1985 Film Directed by Jonathan Miller | DVD

UPC: 4058407092209

Product Features

• Title: The Beggar's Opera
• Composer: Johann Christoph Pepusch (arranged by Jeremy Barlow and John Eliot Gardiner)
• Libretto: John Gay
• Main Cast:Orchestra: The English Baroque Soloists
  • Macheath: Roger Daltrey
  • Peachum: Stratford Johns
  • Mrs. Peachum: Patricia Routledge
  • Polly Peachum: Carol Hall
  • Lucy Lockit: Rosemary Ashe
• Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner
• Choreographer: Sally Gilpin
• Designer: David Myerscough-Jones
• Costume Designer: Alun Hughes
• Lighting: Dennis Channon
• Produced and Directed By: Jonathan Miller
• Sound Format: PCM Stereo
• Picture Format: 4:3
• Subtitle Languages:Running Time: Approx. 135 minutes
  • English
  • German
  • French
  • Spanish
  • Dutch
  • Greek
• Region Code: 0 (Worldwide)
• DVD Format: DVD-9/NTSC
• FSK Rating: FSK 0 (Suitable for all ages)
• Made In: Austria

Overview

Jonathan Miller's 1985 film adaptation of The Beggar's Opera offers a vivid and satirical portrayal of London's low-life society in the 18th century, echoing the themes and imagery found in William Hogarth's engravings that inspired John Gay's original work. This production, created specially for television, features an impressive cast including Roger Daltrey as Macheath, Stratford Johns as Peachum, and Patricia Routledge as Mrs. Peachum. With music selected by Johann Christoph Pepusch and conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner, this version of The Beggar's Opera is both a critical commentary on society and an exuberant piece of popular theatre.

The story revolves around the corrupt and debauched world of London’s underworld, where characters like Macheath, Peachum, and Lockit engage in thieving, lechery, and deceit. This production retains the satirical edge of the original work, making it a must-see for fans of classic British theatre and opera.

Interesting Facts

• Iconic Cast: Roger Daltrey, the lead singer of The Who, stars as Macheath, bringing his rockstar charisma to the role. Patricia Routledge, best known for her role as Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances, shines as Mrs. Peachum.
• Historical Context: The Beggar's Opera, first performed in 1728, was groundbreaking as it mocked the Italian opera style popular at the time, blending spoken dialogue with popular tunes of the day.
• Cultural Impact: This adaptation is noted for its faithfulness to the satirical tone of Gay's original work, using the medium of television to reach a broader audience.

Track Listing

1. Act 1
2. Act 2
3. Act 3
4. Behind the Scenes (Bonus Content)

Publishers

• Publisher: Arthaus Musik
• Distributed By: Arthaus Musik GmbH, Austria

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