MUSIC: Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan  -  LIBRETTO: Sir William Shwenck Gilbert - PREMIERE: London, March 14, 1885

ABOUT "THE MIKADO"

This is the most popular Gilbert and Sullivan opera, and arguably the most popular opera ever written.

It has delighted audiences for more than a century, and generated a number of imitations. But none were nearly as good as the original, which represented both Gilbert and Sullivan at the height of their creative geniuses.

THE OPERA STORY 

ACT I. The show opens in the town of Titipu where the chorus of nobles are joined by Nanki-Poo, disguised as a second trombone, who is looking for Yum-Yum, the ward of Ko-Ko. A noble lord named Pish-Tush asks what Nanki-Poo's business is with Yum-Yum, and learns that the minstrel had seen the girl a year ago when he was a member of the town band, and they had fallen in love. But Yum-Yum was given in marriage to her guardian Ko-Ko, 'a cheap tailor.' However on learning that Ko-Ko was condemned to death for flirting, the minstrel has hurried back to try to claim Yum-Yum. Unfortunately on his return he finds that far from being dead, Ko-Ko has in fact been let out on bail, and appointed Lord High Executioner. There is worse to come as Pooh-Bah, who holds every major office of state, informs Nanki-Poo that Yum-Yum and Ko-Ko are to be married that very day.

Yum-Yum and her sisters, Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo, appear with their schoolfellows. When Yum-Yum finally catches sight of Nanki-Poo he reveals that he is the son of the Mikado, and when they are alone, she admits she does not love her guardian. The two lovers realise that their cause is hopeless, and Yum-Yum leaves Nanki-Poo who then tries to kill himself. Meanwhile, Ko-Ko has received a letter from the Mikado, who threatens to abolish the post of Lord High Executioner and reduce Titipu to the rank of a village unless a beheading takes place within a month. On seeing Nanki-Poo about to 'terminate an unendurable existence,' Ko-Ko comments that suicide is a capital offence, and offers to do the job professionally. Nanki-Poo agrees, on the condition that he can Marry Yum-Yum and enjoy one month of married life before he is beheaded. After the execution Ko-Ko will then be able to marry the widowed Yum-Yum. in the middle of the celebrations in appears Katisha, having tracked down the object of her affections, Nanki-Poo, and threatens to reveal his true identity. She is outshouted by a chorus of Japanese syllables: " O ni! bikkuri shakkuri to!" (one of the many possible translations of which is "So surprised, we hiccup! Bah!") . But the town inhabitants are not to be dissuaded and 'joy reigns everywhere around.'

ACT II. Yum-Yum is being prepared for her wedding. But soon the terrible fact is known that under the Mikado's law the widow of a beheaded man must be buried alive. This places Nanki-Poo in a dilemma, if he holds Yum-Yum to this marriage, she dies a repulsive death, and if he releases her she must marry Ko-Ko at once. The marriage is off, and Nanki-Poo determines to terminate with himself that afternoon unless Ko-Ko will kill him at once. But it happens that Ko-Ko can't kill anything. To make matters worse, the Mikado and his suite are approaching the town and will arrive in ten minutes. In desperation Ko-Ko arranges to draw up an affidavit of Nanki-Poo's execution.

The Mikado arrives with Katisha who makes much of being his daughter-in-law elect. When Ko-Ko presents his certificate of execution the Mikado reads it and says, 'My poor fellow, in your anxiety to carry out my wishes you have beheaded the heir to the throne of Japan!' Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah find Nanki-Poo and beg him to present himself, alive, to his father, because of that absolving them of his death. But Nanki-Poo, now married to Yum-Yum, is afraid of Katisha's wrath. Unless Ko-Ko will agree to marry the old woman himself, he and Yum-Yum will leave on their honeymoon at once. Katisha, meanwhile, is mourning the death of Nanki-Poo, and when Ko-Ko tries to woo her, she is at first reluctant, but he wins the formidable lady with a pack of flattering lies and a sad, unhappy song.

Katisha adds her powerful supplications to the Mikado for everyone to be pardoned. The Mikado, a bit bewildered by it all, however pronounces that 'Nothing could possibly be more satisfactory!' 

Glossary:

disguised: masked (disfrazado)
flirting: coquetting, talking amorously
on bail: money given as a penalty if an accused person
fails to appear in court (bajo fianza)
beheading: decapitation
beheaded: decapitated
widowed: single because of death of the wife
tracked down: hunted (perseguido)
threatens: menaces (amenaza)
outshouted: vociferated with horror
hiccup: breathe spasmodically with sound (tener hipo)

Source: Boisestate.edu Website - Plot summary: Andrew Lister (University of Warwick G&S Society)

A SONG FROM THE OPERA "PRINCESS IDA"

If you give me your attention

King Gama:
If you give me your attention, I will tell you what I am:
I’m a genuine philanthropist — all other kinds are sham.
Each little fault of temper and each social defect
In my erring fellow-creatures, I endeavour to correct.
To all their little weaknesses I open people’s eyes;
And little plans to snub the self-sufficient I devise;
I love my fellow-creatures — I do all the good I can —
Yet everybody says I’m such a disagreeable man!
And I can’t think why!
To compliments inflated I’ve a withering reply,
And vanity I always do my best to mortify;
A charitable action I can skillfully dissect;
And interested motives I’m delighted to detect;
I know everybody’s income and what everybody earns;
And I carefully compare it with the income-tax returns;
But to benefit humanity, however much I plan,
Yet everybody says I’m such a disagreeable man!
And I can’t think why!
I’m sure I’m no ascetic; I’m as pleasant as can be;
You’ll always find me ready with a crushing repartee.
I’ve an irritating chuckle, I’ve a celebrated sneer,
I’ve an entertaining snigger, I’ve a fascinating leer.
To everybody’s prejudice I know a thing or two;
I can tell a woman’s age in half a minute — and I do.
But although I try to make myself as pleasant as I can,
Yet everybody says I am a disagreeable man!
And I can’t think why!

Chorus:
He can’t think why! He can’t think why!

Source: TOPSY-TURVY Official Website