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The Mikado, or The Town of Titipu: A Delightful Comic Opera

Guillermo Blair

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The Mikado: or The Town of Titipu

by Arthur Sullivan

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	217 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	48 pages

The Mikado, or The Town of Titipu, is a delightful comic opera by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. First produced in 1885, the opera has become one of the most popular and frequently performed Gilbert and Sullivan operas.

Plot

The opera is set in the fictional Japanese town of Titipu. Nanki-Poo, the son of the Mikado, has fallen in love with Yum-Yum, a beautiful young woman who is betrothed to Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner. Nanki-Poo disguises himself as a minstrel and enters Titipu in order to be near Yum-Yum.

Ko-Ko is a corrupt and inept official who is terrified of being executed. When he learns that the Mikado has ordered him to execute a man within a month, he decides to frame Nanki-Poo for the crime.

Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum are eventually reunited, and the Mikado arrives in Titipu to pardon them. Ko-Ko is sentenced to death, but is pardoned by the Mikado at the end of the opera.

Characters

Nanki-Poo: The son of the Mikado. He is in love with Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum: A beautiful young woman who is betrothed to Ko-Ko.
Ko-Ko: The Lord High Executioner. He is a corrupt and inept official.
Pish-Tush: The Lord High Everything Else.
Pooh-Bah: The Lord High Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Mikado: The Emperor of Japan.

Music

The music of The Mikado is some of the most delightful and memorable of any Gilbert and Sullivan opera. The overture is a lively and energetic piece that sets the tone for the rest of the opera. The songs are catchy and tuneful, and they include some of the most famous Gilbert and Sullivan melodies, such as "Three Little Maids from School," "The Flowers That Bloom in the Spring," and "The Mikado's Song."

Themes

The Mikado is a satire on the British government and society. Gilbert and Sullivan poke fun at the corruption and incompetence of the government, and they also satirize the British obsession with politeness and decorum.

The opera also explores the themes of love and marriage. Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum's love for each other is a powerful force that overcomes all obstacles. The opera also shows that marriage can be a source of both happiness and frustration.

Legacy

The Mikado has been a popular and frequently performed opera for over a century. It has been translated into many languages and has been performed in countless productions around the world.

The opera has also had a significant impact on popular culture. The characters of Nanki-Poo and Ko-Ko have become iconic figures, and the songs from the opera are frequently referenced in other works of art and literature.

The Mikado is a delightful and enduring comic opera that has entertained audiences for over a century. The opera's witty dialogue, catchy music, and memorable characters continue to charm audiences today.

The Mikado: or The Town of Titipu

by Arthur Sullivan

4.5 out of 5