The Royal Opera continues its series of chamber operas by Benjamin Britten with a new production of Britten’s masterly reworking of one of the most popular of all operas written for the British stage: The Beggar’s Opera.

First seen in 1728, the Beggar’s Opera combined popular tunes of the day from England, Scotland and Ireland (with some Handel and Purcell thrown in) as it depicted the goings-on in London’s criminal underworld.

Darkly satirical of human nature – its vices much more than its virtues – the story follows Macheath and his love Polly Peachum from criminal success to the gallows.

Many different versions have been made of The Beggar’s Opera, but Britten’s version, from 1948, stands out through its skilful, sensitive treatment of the original music that recast the work as a particularly fine fusion of old and new.

A strong cast of familiar Royal Opera performers appear alongside the City of London Sinfonia in this new production of The Beggar’s Opera directed by Justin Way.

Learn more about London operas within the West End.