It has been said that one parodies only what one loves the most, and the ascendancy of
Handel's Italian operas in London generated the parody
The Dragon of Wantley, which appeared in 1737 with music by the Germany-to-England transplant
John Frederick Lampe. The work was hugely popular in its own time, with its run exceeding even that of
The Beggar's Opera. It was later forgotten, largely on the grounds that it contained topical references opaque to a modern audience. However, this recording by the
Brook Street Band under director
John Andrews demonstrates that plenty of the laughs still work, and given the near-total obscurity of the work, the release qualifies as a revelation. A helpful plot summary is included: "A rapacious dragon has been terrorising a Yorkshire village. Gubbins and his daughter Margery, together with Mauxalinda, decide to seek the help of Moore of Moore Hall. Moore needs persuading away from his beer but succumbs to Margery's pleading, and her promises of love. Unfortunately, he had already promised to marry Mauxalinda, and so the love triangle has to be resolved in dramatic fashion before Moore heads out and defeats the dragon [with a kick in the backside], restoring harmony and prosperity to the village." This tale is decked out with operatic music that takes itself seriously to an ideal degree;
Handel was reported to have admired it, even though he was being parodied.
Andrews lines up a top-notch cast of singers, led by soprano
Mary Bevan as Margery, who are steeped in the original idiom and are relaxed enough to catch the humor. A must for anyone interested in early 18th century England, this recording is fun for anybody. College and university operatic groups ought especially to take note of it; the work's cheeky tone would be ideal in that setting. ~ James Manheim
