The Beggar's Opera 1992

Synopsis
Artists

Parodies of early Italian opera abound…

… as Lucy and Polly vie for the affections of Captain Macheath in this lively political satire.

Words by

John Gay

Music Originally Arranged by

Johann Christoph Pepusch

Santa Fe Opera Version Edited and Arranged By

Nicholas McGegan

Act I

A prologue, spoken by the Beggar and the Player, introduces the opera written “for celebrating the marriage of James Chanter and Moll Lay, two most excellent Ballad Singers.”

Mr. Peachum, reckoning his accounts, declares that his is an honest employment. Like a lawyer, he acts both for and against thieves. Protecting them is only fitting, since they afford him a living. He decides who should escape punishment through bribes and who deserves deportation or the gallows. Though Mrs. Peachum finds a favorite of hers on his list, she makes no effort to influence her husband’s decision.

She does say, however, that Captain Macheath a highwayman, stands high in her regard, as well as in that of their daughter, Polly. The news upsets her spouse. If Polly marries, her husband may learn family secrets and thus gain power over them. Peachum orders his wife to warn Polly that marriage and a husband’s domination would mean her ruin. They are dismayed when Polly announces her marriage to Macheath. They predict that she will not be able to keep Macheath in gambling and philandering funds, that there will not even be enough money to cause quarrels; she might as well have married a lord.

The Peachums’ ‘greatest fear is that Macheath will have them hanged and gain control of their fortune. He will have to be disposed of, and they suggest that Polly inform on him. Widowhood, they declare, is a very comfortable state. But she stubbornly asserts her love for the dashing highwayman. Overhearing the plan of her parents, Polly warns Macheath. They decide that he should go into hiding until, Polly hopes, her parents relent.

Act II

Macheath meets his gang at a tavern near Newgate to tell them their rendezvous will have to be confined to their private hideout, so that Peachum will be led to believe he has deserted his companions. After his men leave, some street women and female pickpockets join Macheath. Two of them cover Macheath with his own pistols as Peachum, accompanied by constables, rush in to arrest him. When Macheath is carried off to Newgate, some of the women express their indignation at not having been chosen to spring the trap and share in the reward Peachum will receive.

Though Macheath has funds to bribe his jailer, it is another matter to deal with Lucy Lockit, the jailer’s daughter. As Macheath admits, she is his wife except for the ceremony. But Lucy, who has heard of his gallantry toward Polly, could be convinced of his sincerity only by his consent to an immediate marriage.

Peachum and Lockit agree to split the reward for Macheath. As he goes over his accounts, however, Peachum finds cause to question Lockit’s honesty. One of his men has been convicted, although Lockit was bribed to have the man go free. Also, Peachum’s informer, Mrs. Coaxer, has been defrauded of information money. The quarrel is short lived, however, as each is aware that if they fall out, each has the power to hang the other. Lockit warns Lucy that Macheath’s fate has been sealed. He advises her to buy herself widow’s weeds and be cheerful; since she could not have the highwayman and his money too, she might as well make use of the time that is left to extract what riches she can from him.

There is no clergyman to be found that day, but Lucy has so softened toward her philandering lover as to agree to see if her father could be bought off. She consents to help him when Polly appears in search of her husband. Macheath convinces Lucy of his faithfulness by disowning Polly, who is carried off by the angry Peachum. Lucy agrees to steal her father’s keys for her lover’s escape.

Act III

Macheath, free once more, joins two of his men at a gambling house. He arranges to meet them that evening, when he will point out a likely victim for them to rob.

Peachum and Lockit discuss the disposal of some assorted loot when they are joined by Mrs. Trapes, a procuress, who innocently tells them that Macheath is at that moment with one of her girls. While Peachum and Lockit go to recapture him, Polly pays a visit to Lucy. Together they bewail their common fate – Macheath’s neglect. Lucy gives Polly a poisoned drink. When the suspicious girl refuses it, Lucy decides that perhaps Polly is too miserable to deserve to die.

When Macheath is brought back to prison by Peachum and Lockit, both girls fall on their knees and beg that his life be spared. Neither parent will be moved. Lockit announces that Macheath will die that day. Macheath is resigned to his fate, for his death will settle all disputes and please all his wives.

Macheath, in his cell, reflects ironically that rich men escape the gallows while the poor must hang. Visited by two of his men, he asks them to make sure Lockit and Peachum are hanged before they themselves are strung up. The distraught Polly and Lucy come to bid Macheath farewell. The jailer announces that four more of his wives, each accompanied by a child, have appeared to say goodbye. Macheath declares he is ready to meet his fate.

But the rabble, feeling that the poor should have their vices as well as the rich, raises so much clamor for Macheath’s reprieve that charges are dropped and he is released in triumph. In the merrymaking that follows, he chooses Polly as his partner, because, he gallantly announces, she is really his wife. From that time on he intends to give up the vices – if not the follies – of the rich.