Polly (John Gay opera)
Encyclopedia
Polly is an opera by with text by John Gay
and music by Johann Christoph Pepusch
. It is a sequel to Gay's The Beggar's Opera
. Due to censorship, the opera was not performed in Gay's lifetime. It had its world premiere on June 19, 1777 at the Haymarket Theatre
in London. A revised and edited version of the score by Clifford Bax
and Frederic Austin premiered on December 30, 1922 at the Kingsway Theatre in London.
Like its predecessor, Polly was censored during its time. The production was forbidden by the Lord Chamberlain (the Duke of Grafton
), probably through Walpole's influence. However, the censorship did not affect Gay much – on the contrary it proved as excellent advertisement. The play was published by subscription in 1729, and Gay earned several thousand pounds.
In fact, the Duchess of Queensberry was dismissed from court for enlisting subscribers in the palace. The Duke of Queensberry gave Gay a home, and Gay received affectionate patronage until his death on 4 December 1732.
The play was not produced on stage during Gay's lifetime, as Walpole found the satire in Polly much more blatant and strong than the first play. It was banned from rehearsal by the Lord Chamberlain
for being a filthy and libellous work. However, since Polly followed close on the heels of its predecessor, it was probably not so much the subject matter, rather the fact that it was a play by Gay that caused it to be banned. Its stage premiere took place on 19 June 1777 at the Haymarket Theatre
, London.
However, the ban was effective only in name, as the play was not only printed and sold in April 1729, but in June of the same year, Gay and his publisher had injunctions brought against 17 printers and booksellers for piracy of the work.
John Gay
John Gay was an English poet and dramatist and member of the Scriblerus Club. He is best remembered for The Beggar's Opera , set to music by Johann Christoph Pepusch...
and music by Johann Christoph Pepusch
Johann Christoph Pepusch
Johann Christoph Pepusch , also known as John Christopher Pepusch and Dr Pepusch, was a German-born composer who spent most of his working life in England....
. It is a sequel to Gay's The Beggar's Opera
The Beggar's Opera
The Beggar's Opera is a ballad opera in three acts written in 1728 by John Gay with music arranged by Johann Christoph Pepusch. It is one of the watershed plays in Augustan drama and is the only example of the once thriving genre of satirical ballad opera to remain popular today...
. Due to censorship, the opera was not performed in Gay's lifetime. It had its world premiere on June 19, 1777 at the Haymarket Theatre
Haymarket Theatre
The Theatre Royal Haymarket is a West End theatre in the Haymarket in the City of Westminster which dates back to 1720, making it the third-oldest London playhouse still in use...
in London. A revised and edited version of the score by Clifford Bax
Clifford Bax
Clifford Bax was a versatile English writer, known particularly as a playwright, a journalist, critic and editor, and a poet, lyricist and hymn writer. He also was a translator, for example of Goldoni...
and Frederic Austin premiered on December 30, 1922 at the Kingsway Theatre in London.
Background
The opera relates the adventures of Polly Peachum in the West Indies. Macheath is transported to the West Indies, and becomes a pirate. He is in the company of Jenny Diver, the prostitute from the first play who had betrayed him – so Macheath is living bigamously. Polly goes to the West Indies looking for Macheath. The play ends with Macheath being executed, and Polly marrying the Indian prince Cawwawkee, after her period of mourning.Like its predecessor, Polly was censored during its time. The production was forbidden by the Lord Chamberlain (the Duke of Grafton
Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton
Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton KG PC was an Irish and English politician.He was born the only child of Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton and Isabella Bennet, 2nd Countess of Arlington...
), probably through Walpole's influence. However, the censorship did not affect Gay much – on the contrary it proved as excellent advertisement. The play was published by subscription in 1729, and Gay earned several thousand pounds.
In fact, the Duchess of Queensberry was dismissed from court for enlisting subscribers in the palace. The Duke of Queensberry gave Gay a home, and Gay received affectionate patronage until his death on 4 December 1732.
The play was not produced on stage during Gay's lifetime, as Walpole found the satire in Polly much more blatant and strong than the first play. It was banned from rehearsal by the Lord Chamberlain
Lord Chamberlain
The Lord Chamberlain or Lord Chamberlain of the Household is one of the chief officers of the Royal Household in the United Kingdom and is to be distinguished from the Lord Great Chamberlain, one of the Great Officers of State....
for being a filthy and libellous work. However, since Polly followed close on the heels of its predecessor, it was probably not so much the subject matter, rather the fact that it was a play by Gay that caused it to be banned. Its stage premiere took place on 19 June 1777 at the Haymarket Theatre
Haymarket Theatre
The Theatre Royal Haymarket is a West End theatre in the Haymarket in the City of Westminster which dates back to 1720, making it the third-oldest London playhouse still in use...
, London.
However, the ban was effective only in name, as the play was not only printed and sold in April 1729, but in June of the same year, Gay and his publisher had injunctions brought against 17 printers and booksellers for piracy of the work.