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ballad opera

(Encyclopedia) ballad opera, in English drama, a play of comic, satiric, or pastoral intent, interspersed with songs, most of them sung to popular airs. First and best was The Beggar's Opera (1728)…

Gay, John

(Encyclopedia) Gay, John, 1685–1732, English playwright and poet, b. Barnstaple, Devon. Educated at the local grammar school, he was apprenticed to a silk mercer for a brief time before commencing…

Rich, John

(Encyclopedia) Rich, John, 1692–1761, English actor-manager. Rich introduced pantomime to England, himself playing (1717–60) the role of Harlequin in annual performances. His successful production of…

Pepusch, John Christopher

(Encyclopedia) Pepusch, John ChristopherPepusch, John Christopherpāˈp&oobreve;sh [key], 1667–1752, German musician, who lived in London from 1700 until his death. As a theorist he became expert…

Barnstaple

(Encyclopedia) Barnstaple Barnstaple bärnˈstəpəl [key], town, Devon, SW England, on the Taw River estuary. The river…

D'Urfey, Thomas

(Encyclopedia) D'Urfey, ThomasD'Urfey, Thomasdûrˈfē [key], 1653–1723, English songwriter and dramatist. His comedies for the stage were forerunners of the ballad opera. In 1699–1700 Wit and Mirth; or…

Arbuthnot, John

(Encyclopedia) Arbuthnot, JohnArbuthnot, Johnärbŭthˈnət, ärˈbəthnŏt [key], 1667–1735, Scottish author and scientist, court physician (1705–14) to Queen Anne. He is best remembered for his five “John…

Brewer's: Gay

(g hard). Gay as the king's candle. A French phrase, alluding to an ancient custom observed on the 6th of January, called the “Eve or Vigil of the Kings,” when a candle of divers colours…

Marvin Gaye

Name at birth: Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr.Marvin Gaye was an African-American soul singer whose hits included "How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You," "Mercy Mercy Me (the Ecology)" and "Sexual Healing."…

Playfair, Sir Nigel

(Encyclopedia) Playfair, Sir NigelPlayfair, Sir Nigelnīˈjəl plāˈfâr [key], 1874–1934, English actor-manager. He made his acting debut in 1902 and later appeared in major London productions of Shaw…