Die Dreigroschenoper – or Threepenny Opera – epitomises the heady, but turbulent years of the Weimar Republic. Bertolt Brecht’s biting satire and Kurt Weill’s insistent, insinuating melodies remain as compelling today as they were at the work’s premiere in 1928. This landmark recording was made just two years later. Among its stars is Lotte Lenya, who had married Weill in 1926 and became synonymous with his music. This disc also features numbers from Brecht and Weill’s Mahagonny and songs by their contemporaries – with the young Marlene Dietrich among the performers.

Artists

Lotte Lenya • Kurt Gerron • Erika Helmke • Willi Trenk-Trebitsch • Erich Ponto

Bertolt Brecht • Carola Neher, Lotte Lenya & The Three Admirals, Kurt Gerron • Rudolf Nelson, Marlene Dietrich, Curt Bois

Ruth Lewis Band • Theo Mackeben & his Orchestra, Theo Mackeben & his Jazz Orchestra, Peter Kreuder & his Orchestra, Theo Mackeben & his Orchestra, Kurt Gerron & Orchestra