Encyclopedia

ballad opera

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) by John Gay. The vogue for these operas lasted until c.1750.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

More on ballad opera from Fact Monster:

  • Isaac Bickerstaffe - Bickerstaffe, Isaac Bickerstaffe, Isaac, c.1735–c.1812, English dramatist, b. Ireland. ...
  • Thomas D'Urfey - D'Urfey, Thomas D'Urfey, Thomas , 1653–1723, English songwriter and dramatist. His ...
  • Charles Dibdin - Dibdin, Charles Dibdin, Charles, 1745–1814, English songwriter and theatrical entrepreneur. ...
  • Robert Dodsley - Dodsley, Robert Dodsley, Robert, 1703–64, English publisher and author. He wrote occasional ...
  • John Gay - Gay, John Gay, John, 1685–1732, English playwright and poet, b. Barnstaple, Devon. Educated ...

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