Hi beth1983,
Thank you for the interesting question. I've located two summaries
for you, and posted the ending.
The Victoria Conseratory of Music Opera Studio From: Know the Show!
John Gay's The Beggar's Opera - http://www.vcm.bc.ca/showbegg.html#syn
Charming Aires, Scum and Villainy
[edit]
"Act III
At the jail, Lockit rages over MacHeath's escape. He suspects that
Peachum is trying to outsmart him and plans a trip to Peachum's Lock
(warehouse of stolen goods).
At a gaming house, MacHeath and his gang are planning a night of thieving.
We then go to Peachum's Lock where Diana Trapes, a madam, reveals
MacHeath's whereabouts.
Back at Newgate prison, Polly has come to apologize to Lucy. MacHeath
appears, arrested once again. Polly and Lucy plead with their fathers
for MacHeath's release, but to no avail.
Just as MacHeath is to be taken to the gallows, the Beggar and the
Player interrupt the play and proclaim the ending unfit for an opera.
The Beggar cries "reprieve!" MacHeath calls everyone to celebrate, and
finds a partner for each woman claiming to be his wife, and takes
Polly for his own."
(See photo right side of page of the painting by "English artist
William Hogarth, shows the climactic scene from The Beggar's Opera in
which the imprisoned highwayman Macheath stands between Lucy Lockit
and Polly Peachum as they beg their fathers to save the man they love
from the gallows."
Scroll down the page to The life of John Gay, terms from The Beggar's
Opera, and Director's Notes.)
==============================================================================
Opera Plot Summaries
http://www.opera-opera.com.au/plotg.htm
John Gay: The Beggar's Opera
"Scene 6. Peachum's house
Lockit goes to find out what Peachum knows about the escape. After
some discussion of other matters he tells Peachum to keep an eye on
Polly and Macheath will soon be in their hands again. Mrs Trapes the
pawnbroker arrives to do business and mentions in passing that she
knows where Macheath is. Peachum and Lockit arrange to have him
retaken.
Scene 7. Macheath's ride and capture: pre-recorded film
Scene 8. Lockit's lodgings
Overcome with grief and jealously, Lucy decides to poison Polly, but
Polly rejects the proferred drink.
Scene 8b. Newgate
Polly and Lucy plead in vain with their fathers to save Macheath.
Scene 9.
The condemned cell
Macheath is trying to comfort Polly and Lucy when four more wives
arrive, accompanied by children. At this Macheath indicates his
readiness to be hanged.
Scene 10. Enter film director
The film director requires a happy ending, so Gay reluctantly inserts
a reprieve for Macheath.
Scene 11. Finale
Macheath, surrounded by rival wives, confesses that he is really
married to Polly and so must stay with her."
Google Search:
Summary John Gay The Beggar's Opera
Beggars Opera summary
Best regards,
tlspiegel |
