In the late 1790s, John Bernard, a London stage actor, toured the new United States and wrote down his experiences which went on to be published posthumously as Retrospections of America. Bernard recorded a story about a Yankee Peddler who hoodwinked a town into believing crockery carried the infection during the Yellow Fever outbreak. However, his wooden wares were known to be safe from spreading the infection. Told in the traditional ballad opera form as used in The Beggar’s Opera, the Peddler’s Opera serves as a hilarious morality play to show the downfalls of profiting off a tragedy.
Other Experiences
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Historic Organ Recital with Thomas Marshall
Enjoy this Historic Organ Recital in the Wren Chapel at the College of William & Mary performed by Thomas Marshall, organist at Williamsburg United Methodist Church.
Open to the Public
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The Rise and Fall of the Peale Museum
Dr. Lee Dugatkin discusses how Charles Willson Peale created the most important and famous museum in 18th-century America by fusing natural history and art.
Art Museums Admission
Event Ticket
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Play the Fife and Beat the Drum
Join an adult staff member of the Fifes & Drums to learn the fundamentals of fifing and/or drumming as if you were a recruit. Practice with a fife and/or drumsticks.
Open to the Public
Event Ticket