Midas

'Midas' is a celebrated English burletta in two acts, a distinctive form of 18th-century musical satire that parodies both classical mythology and the conventions of Italian opera. Written by Kane O’Hara, this witty and irreverent work reimagines the legend of King Midas and his famous golden touch, alongside the musical rivalry between the gods Apollo and Pan. As a staple of the repertoire at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, the play gained immense popularity for its clever lyrical adaptations and its lighthearted, farcical tone.The narrative follows the god Apollo, who, after being cast out of heaven, takes on the guise of a mortal shepherd. His presence in a small village leads to a series of comedic entanglements involving the prideful King Midas and various local figures. O’Hara’s 'Midas' is historically significant for its role in the evolution of the English musical stage, bridging the gap between traditional theater and early light opera. By blending high-brow mythological themes with accessible humor and popular melodies, the work remains a vibrant example of Georgian theatrical entertainment and a testament to the enduring appeal of mythological satire.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.