| |
| Id |
35835 |
| Category |
antiquarian music |
| Author / Composer |
GAY, John (1685-1732) |
| Title |
[Polly: an Opera, being the second part of the Beggar's Opera, Written by Mr. Gay. The appendix with the music, only]. |
| Place |
[London] |
| Publisher |
[Printed for the Author] |
| Publication Date |
[1729] |
| ISBN / Plate No. |
|
| Series |
|
| Size |
Small 4to. 31pp. |
| Description |
Stitched as issued. Polly: On p.i-iv a preface by Gay recounted the events that led to the printing of the work: the sequel to The beggar's opera went into rehearsal in the autumn of 1728 but its performance was banned by order of the Lord Chamberlain on 12 December 1728. The libretto was nonetheless printed, although it contains no mention of Pepusch, who had arranged the music. There is no printed music in the text, but there are 31 supplementary pages with the music (both melody and bass line, with the text also included) at end. The music, arranged by J.C. Pepusch, includes three Handel numbers: air 17, 'Brave boys prepare' [the March in Scipio], air 19, 'Abroad after misses most husbands will roam' [after the trumpet minuet in Water music] and air 28 'Cheer up my lads' [after Minuet in Water music]. On the 9 April two spurious editions in octavo appeared, and the Evening Post of the 10 April contained a warning to all booksellers against exposing them for sale. cf. John Nichols, Literary anecdotes, v.1, pt 404. |
| Reference |
Smith2, Handel: A Descriptive Catalogue of the Early Editions, p.186. RISM B/II p.292. BUC p.801. ESTC T13800. |
| Price |
£60.00 |
|
