Weill, Kurt - Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

Premiered in Leipzig on March 3, 1930.

Libretto by Berthold Brecht

Plot:

Three escaped convicts establish an anarchic "city" that is devoted to pleasure. It attracts prostitutes and low life. The only statute on the books is one that outlaws shortage of money (to the point where one of the main characters is tried & executed for his inability to settle a bar bill). The city's lawlessness ultimately proves its downfall and it is burnt down after rioting over hyper-inflation.