West Bay Opera Annex: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

The Story of The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

Three criminals on the run decide to create a city where people can do anything, as long as they have money. No one works, and pleasure is the order of the day. The opera explores scenarios of greed, gluttony, lust, and a justice system where running out of money is the only capital crime. The heroine, Jenny, a prostitute, and Jimmy, a lumberjack, become lovers, and debauchery reigns supreme throughout the city. Of course there is also a madam, Mrs. Begbick. Though they all somehow survive a typhoon, things take a turn for the worse when Jimmy is sentenced to death for his debts. As he is executed, the city incorporates other commercial ventures to support the insatiable greed of its inhabitants.

The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny Index | Synopsis | The Program | Publicity Pictures | 44th Season


		Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny (The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny) music by Kurt Weill libretto by Bertolt Brech
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	The Story of The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny Three criminals on the run decide to create a city where people can do anything, as long as they have money. No one works, and pleasure is the order of the day. The opera explores scenarios of greed, gluttony, lust, and a justice system where running out of money is the only capital crime. The heroine, Jenny, a prostitute, and Jimmy, a lumberjack, become lovers, and debauchery reigns supreme throughout the city. Of course there is also a madam, Mrs. Begbick. Though they all somehow survive a typhoon, things take a turn for the worse when Jimmy is sentenced to death for his debts. As he is executed, the city incorporates other commercial ventures to support the insatiable greed of its inhabitants. The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny Index \| Synopsis \| The Program \| Publicity Pictures \| 44th Season