Kean University's Wind Ensemble Concert, November 2021

A few weeks ago, I had the wonderful opportunity of accompanying Kean University's wind ensemble in their Fall 2021 concert at Enlow Hall, conducted by Dr. Thomas Connors. We performed Kurt Weill's "Threepenny Opera," (Die Dreigroschenoper), a "play with music" by Bertold Brecht, adapted from a translation by Elisabeth Hauptmann of John Gay's 18th century opera, The Beggar's Opera.

Synopsis:

"The Threepenny Opera is a biting satire of the post-war rise of capitalism, wrapped up in Weill's jazzy score, and the tale of Macheath (Mack the Knife), a debonair crime lord on the verge of turning his illegal empire into a legitimate business. When Macheath marries young Polly Peachum, her father is enraged. Jonathan Peachum controls the beggars of London, and he strives to get Macheath hanged. Unfortunately for him, the chief of police is an old friend of Macheath’s.

Nevertheless, Peachum exerts considerable political influence, and eventually Macheath is arrested and imprisoned. He escapes, only to become imprisoned once more. Luckily, a hard-riding messenger from the Queen arrives at the last minute to pardon Macheath and to issue him a baronetcy."

Source: https://stageagent.com/shows/musical/2309/the-threepenny-opera