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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…

Barnstaple

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

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…

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…

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…

Woffington, Peg

(Encyclopedia) Woffington, Peg (Margaret Woffington), 1714?–1760, English actress, b. Dublin. Her charm and beauty as a child attracted attention, and at the age of 10 she acted in the role of Polly…

Dodsley, Robert

(Encyclopedia) Dodsley, Robert, 1703–64, English publisher and author. He wrote occasional verses, and also several plays, including The King and the Miller of Mansfield (1737); a ballad opera, The…

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…

Britten, Benjamin, Baron Britten of Aldeburgh

(Encyclopedia) Britten, Benjamin, Baron Britten of Aldeburgh, 1913–76, English composer. Britten's most characteristic expression is found in his vocal music, much of which was written for his…