Member-only story

The Pirates of Penzance: A Comic Opera by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan

Tyler Nelson

·19.4k Followers· Follow

Published in The Pirates Of Penzance: Or The Slave Of Duty

5 min read

887 View Claps

62 Respond

Save

Listen

The Pirates of Penzance: or The Slave of Duty

by Arthur Sullivan

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	189 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	48 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

The Pirates of Penzance, or The Slave of Duty, is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It was first produced at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City on December 31, 1879. The opera tells the story of Frederic, a young pirate who was mistakenly apprenticed to a band of pirates as a child, and who, upon reaching his 21st birthday, falls in love with Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley, the pirates' sworn enemy.

The Pirates of Penzance is one of Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular operas, and it has been performed countless times around the world. The opera is known for its witty dialogue, catchy melodies, and memorable characters. Some of the most famous songs from the opera include "Poor Wandering One," "Oh, Better Far to Live and Die," and "A Pirate's Life for Me."

Plot

The opera begins with Frederic, a young pirate, celebrating his 21st birthday. Frederic was mistakenly apprenticed to a band of pirates as a child, and he has been living with them ever since. Frederic is a kind and gentle soul, and he does not enjoy the life of a pirate. He longs to be a respectable member of society.

On his 21st birthday, Frederic meets Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley. Mabel is a beautiful and kind young woman, and Frederic falls in love with her at first sight. Mabel is also attracted to Frederic, and she agrees to marry him.

However, Frederic's happiness is short-lived. The Pirate King, the leader of the pirates, discovers that Frederic was mistakenly apprenticed to the pirates. The Pirate King tells Frederic that he is still bound by his apprenticeship, and that he must continue to serve as a pirate.

Frederic is torn between his love for Mabel and his duty to the pirates. He does not want to leave Mabel, but he also does not want to break his apprenticeship. In the end, Frederic decides to honor his duty and remain a pirate.

Characters

Frederic: A young pirate who is mistakenly apprenticed to a band of pirates as a child.
Mabel: The daughter of Major-General Stanley. She is a beautiful and kind young woman, and Frederic falls in love with her at first sight.
The Pirate King: The leader of the pirates. He is a ruthless and heartless man.
Major-General Stanley: The father of Mabel. He is a pompous and self-important man.
Ruth: A pirate who is in love with Frederic.
Samuel: Frederic's father.

Themes

The Pirates of Penzance explores a number of themes, including the conflict between duty and desire, the power of love, and the importance of forgiveness.

The conflict between duty and desire is a central theme in the opera. Frederic is torn between his duty to the pirates and his desire to be with Mabel. In the end, Frederic chooses to honor his duty, but he is never truly happy. This shows that duty can sometimes be a burden, and that it can prevent us from achieving our true happiness.

The power of love is another important theme in the opera. Mabel's love for Frederic helps him to see the error of his ways. She shows him that there is more to life than piracy, and that he can be a good man. This shows that love can be a powerful force for good, and that it can help us to overcome our darkest impulses.

The importance of forgiveness is also a theme in the opera. The Pirate King eventually forgives Frederic for his betrayal. This shows that forgiveness is possible, even for the most heinous crimes. It also shows that forgiveness can help us to move on from the past and to build a better future.

The Pirates of Penzance is a delightful comic opera that explores a number of important themes. The opera is full of witty dialogue, catchy melodies, and memorable characters. It is a timeless classic that continues to entertain audiences around the world.

The Pirates of Penzance: or The Slave of Duty

by Arthur Sullivan

4.5 out of 5