Saturday, October 4 & Sunday, October 5

J. Gay - C. Pepusch: The Beggar's Opera
The celebrated subversive 18th century 'musical', which inspired K. Weill's - B. Brecht's Three penny Opera
Opera Studio of the Greek National Opera House
Volos Symphony Orchestra
Co-produced by the Greek National Opera House and the Centre for Music Theatre

Volos Municipal Theatre
(2performances)

THE PLOT OF THE PLAY

Macheath, a captain of thieves (B. Brecht's wellknown 'Mack the Knife'), secretly marries Polly, the daughter of the harbourer of stolen goods and accuser, Peachum. When her parents find out about the marriage, deside to get rid of Macheath and so they have him arrested. In prison, Macheath has to face the daughter of the jailer Lockit, Lucy, which he has left pregnant, some months ago. Lucy, despite her anger for Macheath's wedding with Polly, finally helps him to escape. He will be re-arrested later and, in spite of the two girls' entreaties to their parents, he will be sentenced to death and will be heading for the gallows, act which is stopped by the interference of the author-beggar, which declares that the opera needs a happy end and this is achieved by Macheath's liberation and everyone's reconciliation. 

The Beggar's Opera

The Beggar's Opera has had an extraordinarily successful theatrical history. It was first performed at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre in London on 29 January 1728, after which it ran for 61 more performances, a record at that time. It was revived countless times during the rest of the eighteenth century and during much of the nineteenth too, not only in London, but throughout the British Isles. Towards the end of the nineteenth century it did disappear temporarily from the repertoire, to be revived in 1920 in the famous Lyric Hammersmith production. This also broke theatrical records by running for 1463 performances. The work has retained its popularity ever since. (...) 
John Gay used existing familiar tunes for his songs in The Beggar's opera ; the word 'opera' is used ironically in the title, for the work is in effect a play with 69 short songs. As such, it was both a reaction against, and a comment upon, the dominance of Haendelian Italian opera in London's musical life. The tunes chosen by Gay came from a variety of backgrounds; sources include popular ballads, country dances, theatre songs (including three by Purcell), Scottish tunes (several), and French tunes (just three). In the complete libretto the original composers are given where known; the majority of the tunes are anonymous. (....)
Jeremy Barlow

Volos Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1992 by Volos Municipal Artistic Organization. Its foundation has been the result of a long term policy of the music department of Artistic Organization, which has been directed by the composer Dimitris Maragopulos since 1988. 
The approach of outstanding Greek and foreign artists, the expansion in the tuition of all orchestral instruments in the Municipal Conservatory and the attraction of many skilled musicians, finally made possible the founding of the Symphony Orchestra, which is, by the moment, the only Symphony Orchestra of the Greek province which is composed mainly of local musicians, and it is working in professional rhythms of production and appearances. 
The collaboration with outstanding Greek and foreign conductors played an important role in the development of the Orchestra and resulted in its rapid development. Alexandros Myrat, a conductor born himself in Volos, played a determinate role in its beginning, as he gave the orchestra all the required starting energy. Conductors such as Nikos Tsouchlos and Alkis Baltas also cooperated with the Orchestra. Since February 1995 the artistic direction has been undertaken by the eminent Russian conductor Symeon Kogan, with whom the Orchestra has held more than 30 concerts.
Remarkable artists as Leonidas Kavakos, Kostas Kotsiolis, Maria Faradouri, Aris Garouphalis, Antonis Kontogeorgiou, Lydia Koniordou and Giannis Fertis have also cooperated with the Orchestra. The Orchestra has appeared in many Greek cities and international festivals, has appeared twice in the Athens Megaron, in Herodion and also in Constantinople. Its repertoire covers an extended variety of works of different styles. 

John Gay - Christoph Pepusch
THE BEGGAR’S OPERA (1728)
Ballad Opera in two parts
Co produced be the Greek National Opera House and the Centre for Music Theatre
First performance of the original version of play in Greek  

CAST

Macheath’s Gang

Whores

Dancers: the leaders of the ballet of N.O.H.
Aggeliki Vaena
Stratos Papanoussis

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