And here's a treat:

Two restored recordings of original ballad operas that likely inspired Charles Parker, Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger to write their own version(s) of the Radio Ballads:

The Lonesome Train - Lincoln's last train ride (original 78s) (1944)

https://www.mediafire.com/folder/a8p6lbj1r653e/The_Lonesome_Train_Cantata

The Old Chisholm Trail - BBC (NYC) (1966)

https://www.mediafire.com/folder/pj8cq8cbccsdy/The_Old_Chisholm_Trail

Sadly one important but still missing ballad opera is:

"The Man Who Went to War, 1944. A "ballad opera" by Langston Hughes with folk music chosen by Alan Lomax. It starred Canada Lee, Paul Robeson, Ethel Waters, William Vesey, Josh White, Sonny Terry, and Brownie McGhee."

Anyway enjoy.

CJB