Drawing of the Act I finale

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. Comic opera, or light opera, denotes a sung dramatic work of a light or comic nature usually with a happy ending Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan MVO (13 May 1842 &ndash 22 November 1900 was an English composer of Irish and Italian descent best known for his operatic A libretto is the text used in an extended Musical work such as an Opera, Operetta, Masque, sacred or secular Oratorio and Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (18 November 1836 &ndash 29 May 1911 was an English Dramatist, librettist, poet and illustrator best known for his fourteen It is one of the Savoy Operas. Savoy Operas denote a style of Comic opera that developed in Victorian England in the late 19th century with W The opera's official premiere was at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City on December 31, 1879, where the show was a hit with audiences and critics. The City of New York Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 1879 ( MDCCCLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common ^[1] The London premiere was on April 3, 1880, at the Opera Comique, where it ran for 363 performances, having already been playing successfully for over three months in New York. Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. Year 1880 ( MDCCCLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The Opera Comique was a 19th-century opera house constructed between Wych Street and Holywell Street with entrances on the East Strand.

Pirates remains popular today, taking its place along with The Mikado and H.M.S. Pinafore as one of the most frequently played Gilbert and Sullivan operas. The Mikado, or The Town of Titipu, is a Comic opera in two acts with music by Arthur Sullivan and Libretto by W HMS Pinafore, or The Lass that Loved a Sailor, is a Comic opera in two acts with music by Arthur Sullivan and Libretto by Gilbert and Sullivan refers to the Victorian era partnership of Librettist W Its 1981 Broadway revival by Joseph Papp ran for 787 performances and spawned many imitations. Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located Joseph Papp ( June 22 1921 - October 31 1991) was an American Theatrical producer and director.

Background

The Pirates of Penzance was the only Gilbert and Sullivan opera to have its official premiere in New York. Gilbert and Sullivan refers to the Victorian era partnership of Librettist W New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous At the time, American law offered no copyright protection to foreigners. Copyright is a legal concept enacted by Governments, giving the creator of an original work of authorship Exclusive rights to control its distribution usually for After their previous opera, H.M.S. Pinafore, was a hit in London, over a hundred American companies quickly mounted unauthorized "pirated" productions, often taking considerable liberties with the text and paying no royalties to the creators. HMS Pinafore, or The Lass that Loved a Sailor, is a Comic opera in two acts with music by Arthur Sullivan and Libretto by London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. ^[2] By mounting their next opera in New York, Gilbert and Sullivan hoped to forestall further "piracy" by establishing the official production in America before others could copy it. ^[3] They did succeed, by mounting the first production themselves, as well as operating U. S. touring companies and delaying publication of the score and libretto, in keeping for themselves the direct profits of the venture. ^[2] However, Gilbert, Sullivan, and their producer, Richard D'Oyly Carte, continued their efforts for many years to control the American performance copyrights over their operas, without success. Richard D'Oyly Carte (3 May 1844 &ndash 3 April 1901 was an English talent agent theatrical Impresario and hotelier during the latter half of the Victorian ^[4]

The creative period for Pirates was unusual, in that Sullivan composed the acts in reverse — bringing the completed Act II with him, with Act I existing only in sketches. When he arrived in New York, he found that he had left the sketches behind, and he had to reconstruct the first act from memory. Gilbert told a correspondent many years later that Sullivan was unable to recall his setting of the entrance of the women's chorus, so they substituted the chorus "Climbing over rocky mountain" from their earlier opera, Thespis. Thespis, or The Gods Grown Old, is an Operatic Extravaganza that was the first collaboration between dramatist W Sullivan's manuscript for Pirates contains pages removed from a Thespis score, with the vocal parts altered from their original context as a four-part chorus.

Poster for the copyright performance at Paignton

Some scholars (e. Copyright is a legal concept enacted by Governments, giving the creator of an original work of authorship Exclusive rights to control its distribution usually for g. , Tillett and Spencer, 2000) have offered evidence that Gilbert and Sullivan had planned all along to re-use "Climbing over rocky mountain," and perhaps other parts of Thespis, noting that the presence of a Thespis score in New York when there were no plans to revive it might not have been accidental. In any event, "Climbing over rocky mountain," one other song, and a ballet are the only portions of the score of Thespis known to have survived.

On December 10, 1879, Sullivan wrote a letter to his mother about the new opera, upon which he was hard at work in New York. Events 1041 - Empress Zoe of Byzantium elevates her adoptive son to the throne of the Eastern Roman Empire as Michael V Year 1879 ( MDCCCLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common "I think it will be a great success, for it is exquisitely funny, and the music is strikingly tuneful and catching. " True enough, The Pirates of Penzance was an immediate hit in New York, and later London, and takes its place today as one of the most popular G&S works.

There was one other premiere of note. To secure British copyright, there was a perfunctory performance the afternoon before the New York premiere, at the Royal Bijou Theatre Paignton, Devon, organised by Helen Lenoir (who would later marry Richard D'Oyly Carte). The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Copyright is a legal concept enacted by Governments, giving the creator of an original work of authorship Exclusive rights to control its distribution usually for Paignton (ˈpeɪntən is a coastal town in Devon in England. Together with Torquay and Brixham it forms the Unitary authority of Devon is a large county in the South West of England. The county is also referred to as Devonshire, but that is an entirely unofficial name Helen Carte or Helen Lenoir ( May 12 1852 &ndash May 5 1913) was the second wife of impresario and hotelier Richard D'Oyly Carte The cast, having performed Pinafore the night before, read from scripts carried onto the stage, making do with whatever costumes they had on hand. HMS Pinafore, or The Lass that Loved a Sailor, is a Comic opera in two acts with music by Arthur Sullivan and Libretto by

The work's title is a multi-layered joke. On the one hand, Penzance was a docile seaside resort at the time, and not the place where one would expect to encounter pirates. Penzance (Pensans also Penzans, IPA: /pɛnˈzæns/ is a town Civil parish, and Port in the Penwith district of Cornwall ^[5] On the other hand, the title was also a jab at the theatrical pirates who had staged unlicensed productions of H. M. S. Pinafore in America.

Sullivan's score borrowed from several musical traditions. In the Major-General's Act II song, "Sighing softly to the river", the composer imitates Schubert's partsongs for male voices. Also, the "Come, Friends Who Plough the Sea" section of "With Catlike Tread" resembles the anvil chorus from Il Trovatore. Il trovatore ( The Troubadour) is an Opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian Libretto by Leone Emanuele Bardare In another scene in Act II, Mabel addresses the police, who chant their response, in an imitation of the form of an Anglican church service's canticle and response. One of the most famous passages from the finale to Act I, referred to as "Hail Poetry", is a five-part musical piece, utilising all of the voices in a chorale style.

Roles

Catherine Ferguson (Kate), Nellie Briercliffe (Edith), and Ella Milne (Isabel), 1920

• Major-General Stanley (comic baritone)
• The Pirate King (bass-baritone)
• Samuel, his Lieutenant (baritone)
• Frederic, the Pirate Apprentice (tenor)
• Sergeant of Police (bass)
• Mabel (soprano), Edith (mezzo-soprano), Kate (mezzo-soprano), Isabel (speaking), General Stanley's Daughters
• Ruth, a Piratical Maid of all work (contralto)

• Chorus of Pirates, Police and General Stanley's Daughters

Synopsis

Act I

On the coast of Cornwall, at the time of Queen Victoria's reign, Frederic, a young man with a strong sense of duty, celebrates, amidst the pirates, the completion of his twenty-first year and the apparent end of his apprenticeship ("Pour, oh pour the pirate sherry"). Nellie Briercliffe (1889 &ndash December 12 1966) was an English singer and actress best known for her performances in the Mezzo-soprano roles This article is related to a series of articles under the main article Voice type. A bass-baritone is a high-lying bass that shares certain qualities with the Baritone Voice type. This article is related to a series of articles under the main article Voice type. The tenor is the highest male voice within the Modal register, just above the Baritone voice This article is related to a series of articles under the main article Voice type. This article is related to a series of articles under the main article Voice type. This article is related to a series of articles under the main article Voice type. This article is related to a series of articles under the main article Voice type. Cornwall ( Kernow ˈkɛɹnɔʊ is the most southwesterly county of England, on the Peninsula that lies to the west of the River Tamar Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Piracy is Robbery committed at sea or sometimes on shore without a commission from a sovereign Nation (as distinct from Privateering The pirates' maid of all work, Ruth, appears and reveals that, as Frederic's nursemaid long ago ("When Frederic was a little lad"), she had made a mistake "through being hard of hearing": she had misheard Frederic's father's instructions and apprenticed him to a pirate, instead of to a ship's pilot. A pilot is a Mariner who guides Ships through dangerous or congested waters such as Harbours or River mouths Legally the master remains

Marion Hood: "Yes, 'tis Mabel!"

Frederic has never seen any women other than Ruth, and he believes her to be beautiful – the pirates know better and suggest that Frederic take Ruth with him when he returns to civilisation. Marion Hood ( April 1 1854 - August 14 1912) was an English Soprano who performed in Opera and Musical theatre Frederic announces that, although it pains him to do so, such is his sense of duty that, once free from his apprenticeship, he will be forced to devote himself to their extermination. He points out that they are not very successful pirates, since, being orphans themselves, they allow their prey to go free if they too are orphans. Frederic notes that word of this has got about, so captured ships' companies routinely claim to be orphans. Frederic invites the pirates to give up piracy and go with him, so that he need not destroy them, but the Pirate King notes that, compared with respectability, piracy is comparatively honest ("Oh! better far to live and die"). The pirates depart, leaving Frederic and Ruth. Frederic sees a group of beautiful young girls approaching the pirate lair, and realizes that Ruth lied to him about her appearance ("Oh false one! You have deceived me!"). Sending Ruth away, Frederic hides before the girls arrive.

1880 poster

The girls burst exuberantly upon the secluded spot ("Climbing over rocky mountain"). Frederic reveals himself ("Stop, ladies, pray!") and appeals to them to help him reform ("Oh! is there not one maiden breast?"). One of them, Mabel, responds to his plea, and chides her sisters for their lack of charity ("Oh sisters deaf to pity's name for shame!"). She sings to him ("Poor wand'ring one"), and Frederic and Mabel quickly fall in love. The other girls contemplate whether to eavesdrop or to leave the new couple alone ("What ought we to do?"), and eventually decide to "talk about the weather," although they steal a glance or two at the affectionate couple ("How beautifully blue the sky").

Frederic warns the girls of the pirates nearby ("Stay, we must not lose our senses"), but before they can flee, the pirates arrive and capture all the girls, intending to marry them ("Here's a first rate opportunity"). Mabel warns the pirates that the girls' father is a Major-General ("Hold, monsters!"), who soon arrives and introduces himself ("I am the very model of a modern Major-General"). The Major-General's Song is a Patter song from Gilbert and Sullivan 's 1879 Comic opera The Pirates of Penzance. He appeals to the pirates not to take his daughters, leaving him to face his old age alone. Having heard of the famous Pirates of Penzance, he pleads for their release on the (false) ground that he's an orphan ("Oh, men of dark and dismal fate"). The soft-hearted pirates are sympathetic and release the girls ("Hail, Poetry!"), making Major-General Stanley and his daughters honorary members of their band.

Act II

The Major-General sits in a ruined chapel on his estate, surrounded by his daughters. His conscience is tortured by the lie that he told the pirates, and the girls attempt to console him ("Oh dry the glist'ning tear"). The Sergeant of Police and his corps arrive to announce their readiness to go forth to arrest the pirates ("When the foeman bares his steel"). The girls loudly express their admiration of the police for facing likely slaughter at the hands of fierce and merciless foes. The police are unnerved by this, and remain around (to the Major-General's frustration) but finally leave.

"Have mercy on us!"

Left alone, Frederic, who is to lead the group, pauses to reflect on his opportunity to atone for a life of piracy ("Now for the pirate's lair"), at which point he encounters Ruth and the Pirate King. It has occurred to them that his apprenticeship was worded so as to bind him to them until his twenty-first birthday – and, because that birthday happens to be on February 29 (in a leap year), it means that technically only five birthdays have passed ("When you had left our pirate fold"), and he will not reach his twenty-first birthday until he is in his eighties. Leap years Although the modern calendar counts a year as 365 days a complete revolution around the sun takes approximately 365 days and 6 hours A leap year (or intercalary year) is a year containing one or more extra days (or in the case of Lunisolar calendars an extra month in order to keep the In Literature, a quibble is a common Plot device, used to fulfill the exact verbal conditions of an agreement in order to avoid the intended meaning Frederic is convinced by this logic that he must rejoin the pirates, and thus he sees it as his duty to inform the Pirate King of the Major-General's deception. The outraged outlaw declares that their "revenge will be swift and terrible" ("Away, away, my heart's on fire").

Frederic meets Mabel ("All is prepared"), and she pleads with him to stay ("Stay Frederic, stay"), but he explains that he must fulfill his duty to the pirates until his 21st birthday in 1940. He promises to return then and claim her. They agree to be faithful to each other until then, though to Mabel "It seems so long" ("Oh here is love and here is truth"), and Frederic departs. Mabel steels herself ("No, I'll be brave") and tells the police that they must go alone to face the pirates. They muse that an outlaw might be just like any other man, and it is a shame to deprive him of "that liberty which is so dear to all" ("When a felon's not engaged in his employment"). The police hide on hearing the approach of the pirates ("A rollicking band of pirates we"), who have stolen onto the grounds, meaning to avenge themselves for the Major-General's lie ("With cat-like tread").

The police and the pirates prepare for the fight ("Hush, hush! not a word"). Just then, the Major-General appears, sleepless with guilt, and the pirates also hide, while General Stanley listens to the soothing sighing of the breeze ("Sighing softly to the river"). The girls come looking for him ("Now what is this and what is that"). The pirates leap to the attack, and the police rush to the defence; but the police are easily defeated, and the Pirate King urges the captured Major General to prepare for death. The Sergeant plays his trump card, demanding that the pirates yield "in Queen Victoria's name"; the pirates, overcome with loyalty to their Queen, do so. Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Ruth appears and reveals that the orphan pirates are in fact "all noblemen who have gone wrong". The major-general is impressed by this and all is forgiven. Frederic and Mabel are reunited, and the Major-General is happy to marry his daughters to the noble pirates after all.

Musical numbers

• Overture (includes "With cat-like tread", "Ah, leave me not to pine", "Pray observe the magnanimity", "When you had left our pirate fold", "Climbing over rocky mountain", and "How beautifully blue the sky")

Act I

Drawing of Richard Temple as the Pirate King

• 1. Magnanimity (derived from the Latin roots magn- great and anima, soul is the virtue of being great of mind and heart Richard Barker Cobb Temple ( March 2 1847 &ndash October 19 1912) was an English opera singer actor and stage director best known "Pour, oh pour, the pirate sherry" (Samuel and Chorus of Pirates)
• 2. Sherry is a Fortified wine, made in and around the town of Jerez, Spain. "When Fred'ric was a little lad" (Ruth)
• 3. "Oh, better far to live and die . . . I am a pirate king!" (Pirate King and Chorus of Pirates)
• 4. "Oh! false one, you have deceiv'd me" (Frederic and Ruth)
• 5. "Climbing over rocky mountain" (Chorus of Girls)
• 6. "Stop, ladies, pray" (Edith, Kate, Frederic, and Chorus of Girls)
• 7. "Oh, is there not one maiden breast?" (Frederic and Chorus of Girls)
• 8. "Poor wand'ring one" (Mabel and Chorus of Girls)
• 9. "What ought we to do?" (Edith, Kate, and Chorus of Girls)
• 10. "How beautifully blue the sky" (Mabel, Frederic, and Chorus of Girls)
• 11. "Stay, we must not lose our senses" . . . "Here's a first-rate opportunity to get married with impunity" (Frederic and Chorus of Girls and Pirates)
• 12. "Hold, monsters" (Mabel, Major-General, Samuel, and Chorus)
• 13. "I am the very model of a modern Major-General" (Major-General and Chorus)
• 14. The Major-General's Song is a Patter song from Gilbert and Sullivan 's 1879 Comic opera The Pirates of Penzance. Finale Act I (Mabel, Kate, Edith, Ruth, Frederic, Samuel, King, Major-General, and Chorus)
  • "Oh, men of dark and dismal fate"
  • "I’m telling a terrible story"
  • "Hail, Poetry"
  • "Oh, happy day, with joyous glee"
  • "Pray observe the magnanimity"

Isabel Jay as Mabel

Pirate King Henry Lytton denounces the Major General

Act II

• 15. Isabel Jay ( October 17 1879 &ndash February 26 1927) was an English Opera singer and Actress, best known for Sir Henry Lytton (3 January 1865 – 15 August 1936 was an English actor and singer who was the leading exponent of the comic Baritone roles in Gilbert and Sullivan "Oh, dry the glist'ning tear" (Mabel and Chorus of Girls)
• 16. "Then, Frederic, let your escort lion-hearted" (Frederic and Major-General)
• 17. "When the foeman bares his steel" (Mabel, Edith, Sergeant, and Chorus of Policemen and Girls)
• 18. "Now for the pirates' lair!" (Frederic, Ruth, and King)
• 19. "When you had left our pirate fold" ("A paradox") (Ruth, Frederic, and King)
• 20. "Away, away! My heart's on fire!" (Ruth, Frederic, and King)
• 21. "All is prepar'd; your gallant crew await you" (Mabel and Frederic)
• 22. "Stay, Fred'ric, stay" . . . "Oh, here is love, and here is truth" (Mabel and Frederic)
• 23. "No, I'll be brave" . . . "Though in body and in mind" (Reprise of "When the foeman bares his steel") (Mabel, Sergeant, and Chorus of Police)
• 23a. "Sergeant, approach!" (Mabel, Sergeant of Police, and Chorus of Police)
• 24. "When a felon's not engaged in his employment" (Sergeant and Chorus of Police)
• 25. "A rollicking band of pirates we" (Sergeant and Chorus of Pirates and Police)
• 26. "With cat-like tread, upon our prey we steal" (Samuel and Chorus of Pirates and Police)
• 27. "Hush, hush, not a word!" (Frederic, King, Major-General, and Chorus of Police and Pirates)
• 28. Finale, Act II (Ensemble)
  • "Sighing softly to the river"
  • "Now what is this, and what is that?"
  • "Frederic here! Oh, joy! Oh, rapture!"
  • "With base deceit you worked upon our feelings!"
  • "You/We triumph now"
  • "Away with them, and place them at the bar!"
  • "Poor wandering ones!"

Versions

In the original productions, the revelation by Ruth that the pirates are "all noblemen who have gone wrong" prompted the following exchange (recalling a famous passage in H.M.S. Pinafore):

GIRLS: Oh spare them! they are all noblemen who have gone wrong. HMS Pinafore, or The Lass that Loved a Sailor, is a Comic opera in two acts with music by Arthur Sullivan and Libretto by

GENERAL: What, all noblemen?

KING: Yes, all noblemen!

GENERAL: What, all?

KING: Well, nearly all!

Gilbert deleted this exchange in the 1900 revival, and the Chappell vocal score was revised accordingly. The new D'Oyly Carte Opera Company restored the original version in their 1989 production. D'Oyly Carte Opera Company staged performances of Gilbert and Sullivan 's Savoy Operas in the UK Europe North America South Africa Australia and elsewhere from the

Production history

1881 programme cover

From the beginning, The Pirates of Penzance has been one of Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular comic operas. After its unique "triple opening" in 1879–80, it was revived in London in 1888, in 1900, and for the Savoy repertory season of 1908–09. In the British provinces, the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company toured it almost continuously from 1880–1884, and again in 1888. D'Oyly Carte Opera Company staged performances of Gilbert and Sullivan 's Savoy Operas in the UK Europe North America South Africa Australia and elsewhere from the It re-entered the touring repertory in 1893, and was never again absent through to the company's closure in 1982.

In America, after the New York opening on New Year's Eve, 1879, Richard D'Oyly Carte launched four companies that covered the United States on tours that lasted through the following summer. Richard D'Oyly Carte (3 May 1844 &ndash 3 April 1901 was an English talent agent theatrical Impresario and hotelier during the latter half of the Victorian Gilbert and Sullivan themselves trained each of the touring companies through January and early February 1880, and each company's first performance – whether it was in Philadelphia, Newark, or Buffalo – was conducted by the composer. In Australia, its first authorized performance was on 19 March 1881 at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, produced by J. C. Williamson. Events 1279 - A Mongolian victory in the Battle of Yamen ends the Song Dynasty in China. Year 1881 ( MDCCCLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 James Cassius Williamson ( August 26 1845 - July 6 1913) was an American actor and later a theatrical manager in Australia born in

There was still no international copyright law, and the first unauthorized New York production was given by the Boston Ideal Opera Company at Booth's Theatre in September 1880. The first non-D'Oyly Carte professional production in a country that had been subject to Gilbert's copyright (other than Williamsons' authorised productions) was in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, in September 1961. Stratford is a city on the Avon River in Perth County in Southwestern Ontario, Canada with Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page In 1979, the Torbay branch of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society presented a centenary tribute to the world premiere performance of Pirates in Paignton, with a production at the Palace Avenue Theatre (situated a few metres from the former Bijou Theatre). Geography There are three main towns around the bay Torquay in the north Paignton in the centre and Brixham in the south which have become connected

As discussed below, Joseph Papp's 1980–83 Pirates gave a boost to the opera's popularity. Joseph Papp ( June 22 1921 - October 31 1991) was an American Theatrical producer and director. Professional and amateur productions of the opera continue with frequency. In 2007, the New York City Opera mounted a new production^[6] as did Opera Australia. New York State Theater by David Shankbonejpg|thumb| New York State Theater]] The New York City Opera (NYCO is based in Philip Johnson 's New York State Opera Australia which is based in Sydney, is Australia 's major Opera company ^[7]

The following table shows the history of the D'Oyly Carte productions in Gilbert's lifetime:

Drawing from children's Pirates

Historical casting

The following tables show the casts of the principal original productions and D'Oyly Carte Opera Company touring repertory at various times through to the company's 1982 closure:

Joseph Papp's Pirates

Rex Smith, Linda Ronstadt and Kevin Kline at the Delacorte Theatre

In 1980, Joseph Papp and the Public Theater of New York City brought a new production of Pirates, directed by Wilford Leach and choreographed by Graciela Daniele, to the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park, one of the series of Shakespeare in the Park summer events. Robert Evett (16 October 1874 &ndash 15 January 1949 was an English singer actor theatre manager and producer Fred Billington, ( July 1 1854 &ndash November 2 1917) was an English singer and Actor, best known for his performances Rutland Barrington (15 January 1853 &ndash 31 May 1922 was an English singer Actor, comedian and Edwardian musical comedy star Rutland Barrington (15 January 1853 &ndash 31 May 1922 was an English singer Actor, comedian and Edwardian musical comedy star Walter Passmore ( May 10 1867 &ndash August 29 1946) was an English singer and actor best known as the first successor to George Grossmith Blanche Roosevelt ( October 2 1853 - September 10 1898) was an American Opera singer and Author. Marion Hood ( April 1 1854 - August 14 1912) was an English Soprano who performed in Opera and Musical theatre Geraldine Ulmar ( June 23 1862 &ndash August 13 1932) was an American singer and Actress, best known for her performances Isabel Jay ( October 17 1879 &ndash February 26 1927) was an English Opera singer and Actress, best known for Jessie Bond (10 January 1853 – 17 June 1942 was an English singer and actress best known for creating the Mezzo-soprano Soubrette roles in the Gilbert Julia Gwynne (1856 – June 10 1934) was an English Opera singer best remembered for her performances with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Jessie Bond (10 January 1853 – 17 June 1942 was an English singer and actress best known for creating the Mezzo-soprano Soubrette roles in the Gilbert Rosina Brandram ( July 2 1846 &ndash February 28 1907) was an English opera singer and actress primarily known for her work in the Gilbert Alice Barnett ( May 17 1846 &ndash April 14 1901) was an English singer and Actress, best known for her performances in Rosina Brandram ( July 2 1846 &ndash February 28 1907) was an English opera singer and actress primarily known for her work in the Gilbert Rosina Brandram ( July 2 1846 &ndash February 28 1907) was an English opera singer and actress primarily known for her work in the Gilbert Charles H Workman ( May 5 1873 &ndash May 1 1923) was a singer and actor best known as a successor to George Grossmith in the comic Sir Henry Lytton (3 January 1865 – 15 August 1936 was an English actor and singer who was the leading exponent of the comic Baritone roles in Gilbert and Sullivan Sir Henry Lytton (3 January 1865 – 15 August 1936 was an English actor and singer who was the leading exponent of the comic Baritone roles in Gilbert and Sullivan William Martyn-Green ( April 22 1899 &ndash February 8 1975) better known as Martyn Green, was an English actor and singer Grahame Clifford ( December 25 1905 - 26 January 1984) was an English Opera singer and actor primarily known for his work in the Sir Henry Lytton (3 January 1865 – 15 August 1936 was an English actor and singer who was the leading exponent of the comic Baritone roles in Gilbert and Sullivan D-fancourtjpg|right|thumb|250px|Fancourt as Sergeant Meryll in The Yeomen of the Guard ]] Darrell Fancourt ( March 8 1886 &ndash August 29 D-fancourtjpg|right|thumb|250px|Fancourt as Sergeant Meryll in The Yeomen of the Guard ]] Darrell Fancourt ( March 8 1886 &ndash August 29 D-fancourtjpg|right|thumb|250px|Fancourt as Sergeant Meryll in The Yeomen of the Guard ]] Darrell Fancourt ( March 8 1886 &ndash August 29 Leo Sheffield ( November 15 1873 &ndash September 3 1951) was an English singer and Actor best known for his performances Richard Walker, ( November 18 1897 &ndash August 26 1989) was an English opera singer and actor best known for his performances in Charles Goulding (c1887 – 9 November 1939) was an English Operatic Tenor best known for his performances with the D'Oyly Carte John Dean ( September 2 1897 &ndash March 20 1990) was an English singer and actor best known for his performances in the Tenor John Dean ( September 2 1897 &ndash March 20 1990) was an English singer and actor best known for his performances in the Tenor Rutland Barrington (15 January 1853 &ndash 31 May 1922 was an English singer Actor, comedian and Edwardian musical comedy star Fred Billington, ( July 1 1854 &ndash November 2 1917) was an English singer and Actor, best known for his performances Leo Sheffield ( November 15 1873 &ndash September 3 1951) was an English singer and Actor best known for his performances Sydney Granville, (1880 &ndash December 27 1959) was an English singer and Actor, best known for his performances in Baritone roles Richard Walker, ( November 18 1897 &ndash August 26 1989) was an English opera singer and actor best known for his performances in Elsie Griffin ( December 6 1895 &ndash December 21 1989) was an English opera singer best known for her performances in the Helen Roberts (b 1912 Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire) is a retired English singer and actress best known for her performances in Soprano roles Nellie Briercliffe (1889 &ndash December 12 1966) was an English singer and actress best known for her performances in the Mezzo-soprano roles Marjorie Eyre (1897 &ndash December 3 1987) was an English opera singer best known for her performances in the Soprano and Mezzo-soprano Marjorie Eyre (1897 &ndash December 3 1987) was an English opera singer best known for her performances in the Soprano and Mezzo-soprano Bertha Lewis ( May 12 1887 &ndash May 8 1931) was an English opera singer and actress primarily known for her work as principal Contralto Bertha Lewis ( May 12 1887 &ndash May 8 1931) was an English opera singer and actress primarily known for her work as principal Contralto Ella Louise Halman ( July 18 1906 &ndash March 20 1995) was an English opera singer best known for her performances in the Contralto William Martyn-Green ( April 22 1899 &ndash February 8 1975) better known as Martyn Green, was an English actor and singer Peter Pratt ( March 21 1923 &ndash January 11 1995) was an English Actor and singer who started his career in the Gilbert John Reed, (born February 13 1916) is a retired English Actor, dancer and singer known James Conroy-Ward (born 12 April 1947) is a music publisher and retired English actor and singer best known for performing the Gilbert and Sullivan D-fancourtjpg|right|thumb|250px|Fancourt as Sergeant Meryll in The Yeomen of the Guard ]] Darrell Fancourt ( March 8 1886 &ndash August 29 Charles Donald Adams ( December 20 1928 &ndash April 8 1996) was an English Opera singer and Actor, best known Charles Donald Adams ( December 20 1928 &ndash April 8 1996) was an English Opera singer and Actor, best known John Ayldon (born December 11 1943) is an English opera singer best known for his performances in Bass-baritone roles of the Savoy Operas John Ayldon (born December 11 1943) is an English opera singer best known for his performances in Bass-baritone roles of the Savoy Operas George Cook, ( 28 May 1925 &ndash April 1995 was an English opera singer best known for his performances in the bass and Bass-baritone Alan Styler (1925 &ndash September 1 1970) was an English opera singer best known for his performances in Baritone roles of the Savoy Leonard Osborn ( November 11 1914 &ndash September 28 1994) was an English Opera singer best known for his masculine portrayal Thomas Round (born October 18 1915) is a retired English Opera singer and Actor, best known for his performances in the Tenor Philip Potter (born February 6 1936) is an English singer and Actor, best known for his performances in the Tenor roles of the Alexander Meston Reid ( March 21 1945 &ndash October 31 1993) better known as Meston Reid, was a Scottish opera singer Richard Watson (1781-1833 was a British Methodist theologian who was one of the most important figures in 19th century Methodism Kenneth Sandford ( June 28 1924 &ndash September 19 2004) was an English singer and Actor, best known for his performances George Cook, ( 28 May 1925 &ndash April 1995 was an English opera singer best known for his performances in the bass and Bass-baritone Valerie Masterson, born June 3 1937, is a retired English Opera singer a lecturer and Vice-President of British Youth Opera Joyce Wright (born 23 June 1922) is an English singer and actress best known for her performances in the Mezzo-soprano roles of the Savoy Patricia Leonard, (born c 1943 is an English opera singer best known for her performances in Mezzo-soprano and Contralto roles of the Savoy Operas Joyce Wright (born 23 June 1922) is an English singer and actress best known for her performances in the Mezzo-soprano roles of the Savoy Pauline Wales (b 1938 is an English singer and actress best known for her performances in the Mezzo-soprano roles of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas with Ella Louise Halman ( July 18 1906 &ndash March 20 1995) was an English opera singer best known for her performances in the Contralto Ann Drummond-Grant (1905 &ndash September 11 1959) was a British singer and actress best known for her performances in Contralto roles of the Patricia Leonard, (born c 1943 is an English opera singer best known for her performances in Mezzo-soprano and Contralto roles of the Savoy Operas Rex Smith (born September 19 1955, in Jacksonville, Florida) is an American Actor and Singer. Linda Maria Ronstadt (born July 15 1946 in Tucson Arizona) is an American popular vocalist and Entertainer whose vocal styles in a variety Kevin Delaney Kline (born October 24 1947 is an American Academy Award, Screen Actors Guild Award and two time Tony Award -winning stage and film The Delacorte Theater, established in 1962 is an open-air Theater located in Manhattan 's Central Park. Joseph Papp ( June 22 1921 - October 31 1991) was an American Theatrical producer and director. The Public Theater is a New York City arts organization founded as The Shakespeare Workshop in 1954 by Joseph Papp, with the intention of showcasing the works of up-and-coming Wilford Leach ( August 26 1929 - June 18 1988) was an American Theatre director, Set designer, Film Graciela Daniele (born December 8, 1939 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Dancer, Choreographer, and Theatre director The Delacorte Theater, established in 1962 is an open-air Theater located in Manhattan 's Central Park. Central Park is a large public Urban park in New York City, with about twenty-five million visitors annually Shakespeare in the Park is a concept used across the world as a form of free public presentation of William Shakespeare's works The show played for 10 previews and 35 performances. It then transferred to Broadway, opening on January 8, 1981 for a run of 20 previews and 787 performances at the Uris and Minskoff Theatres. Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 The George Gershwin Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 222 West 51st Street in midtown- Manhattan in the Paramount Plaza The Minskoff Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 1515 Broadway in midtown- Manhattan. This take on Pirates earned several Tony Awards, including a Tony Award for Best Revival. The Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Awards, recognize achievement in live American Theatre and are presented The Tony Award for Best Revival was presented from 1977 until 1994 when it was split up into the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and the Tony Award for Best Revival

Compared to traditional productions of the opera, Papp's Pirates featured a more swashbuckling Pirate King and Frederic, and a broader, more musical comedy style of humour. Musical theatre is a form of Theatre combining Music, Songs spoken Dialogue and Dance. It also featured an adapted orchestration and a number of key changes. The "Matter Patter" trio from Ruddigore and "Sorry her lot" from H.M.S. Pinafore were interpolated into the show. Ruddigore, or The Witch's Curse, is a Comic opera in two acts with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W HMS Pinafore, or The Lass that Loved a Sailor, is a Comic opera in two acts with music by Arthur Sullivan and Libretto by The production also restored Gilbert and Sullivan's original New York ending, with a reprise of the Major-General's song in the Act II finale.

Linda Ronstadt starred as Mabel, Rex Smith as Frederic, Kevin Kline as the Pirate King, Patricia Routledge as Ruth (replaced by Estelle Parsons for the Broadway transfer), George Rose as the Major-General, and Tony Azito as the Sergeant of Police. Linda Maria Ronstadt (born July 15 1946 in Tucson Arizona) is an American popular vocalist and Entertainer whose vocal styles in a variety Rex Smith (born September 19 1955, in Jacksonville, Florida) is an American Actor and Singer. Kevin Delaney Kline (born October 24 1947 is an American Academy Award, Screen Actors Guild Award and two time Tony Award -winning stage and film Katherine Patricia Routledge, CBE (born 17 February 1929) is an English actress and Singer. Estelle Margaret Parsons (born November 20, 1927) is an Academy Award -winning American Theatre, Film and Television George Rose ( February 19, 1920 - May 5, 1988) was a English award-winning Actor in theatre and film Tony Azito ( July 18, 1948 – May 26, 1995) was an American eccentric dancer and character actor Notable replacements during the Broadway run included Pam Dawber, Karla DeVito and Maureen McGovern as Mabel; Robby Benson, Patrick Cassidy and Peter Noone as Frederic; James Belushi, Gary Sandy and Treat Williams as the Pirate King; David Garrison as the Sergeant; George S. Irving as the Major-General; and Kaye Ballard as Ruth. Pam Dawber (born October 18, 1951 in Farmington Hills Michigan) is an American actress, best known for her title role as Mindy Karla Jayne DeVito (born 1953 in Illinois) is an American Singer, Actress and Voice artist. Maureen Therese McGovern (born July 27, 1949) is an American Singer and Broadway actress, widely known for her premier Robby Benson (born Robin David Segal on January 21 1956) is an American Film and Television Actor, Patrick Cassidy (born January 4 1962 in Los Angeles California) is an American actor best known for his roles in Musical theatre "Noone" redirects here For the common misspelling of "no one" see the Wiktionary entry noone. James Adam "Jim" Belushi (born June 15, 1954) is an American Actor, Comedian and Musician, the younger brother Gary Sandy (born December 25, 1945) is an American actor best known for his starring role as program director Andy Travis on the classic TV Sitcom Treat Williams (born December 1, 1951) is an American actor who has appeared on film stage and television over the course of his prolific career David Gene Garrison Although he is most widely known for his television roles and he continues to be seen frequently in guest starring roles on television today Garrison is primarily George S Irving (born November 1, 1922) is a American actor known primarily for his character roles on Broadway. Kaye Ballard, also credited as "Kay Ballard" born Catherine Gloria Balotta on November 20, 1925, in Cleveland Ohio, to an Italian The national tour of the production featured Barry Bostwick as the Pirate King, Jo Anne Worley as Ruth, Clive Revill as the Major-General and Andy Gibb as Frederic. Barry Knapp Bostwick (born February 24 1945) is an American Actor and Singer. Jo Anne Worley (born September 6 1937) is an American actress Clive Selsby Revill (born April 18, 1930) is a character actor of wide ranging ability with vast experience of stage screen and television whose career encompasses Andy Gibb ( Manchester, 5 March 1958 – Oxford, 10 March 1988 was an English Singer and Teen idol, and the youngest brother

The production opened at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, on May 26, 1982 for a run of 601 performances. The Theatre Royal Drury Lane is a West End theatre in Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster, a borough of London. Events 451 - The Battle of Avarayr between Armenian rebels and the Sassanid Empire takes place Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) Notable among the cast were George Cole and Ronald Fraser as the Major-General; Michael Praed and Peter Noone as Frederic; Tim Curry, Timothy Bentinck, Oliver Tobias and Paul Nicholas as the Pirate King; Chris Langham as the Sergeant of Police; Pamela Stephenson as Mabel; Annie Ross as Ruth; Bonnie Langford as Kate; and Louise Gold as Isabel. George Edward Cole OBE (born April 22, 1925 in Tooting, London, England) is an English Actor. Ronald Fraser ( 11 April 1930 &ndash March 13 1997) was an English Character actor, who appeared in numerous British Michael Praed (ˈpreɪd prayd) ( né Michael David Prince, born April 1, 1960 in Berkeley Gloucestershire) "Noone" redirects here For the common misspelling of "no one" see the Wiktionary entry noone. Timothy James Curry (born 19 April 1946 is an English Actor, Singer, Voice actor, and Composer, as well as having a career as a Timothy Charles Robert Noel Bentinck 12th Earl of Portland and Viscount Woodstock (born Tasmania 1 June 1953) is an English Actor Oliver Tobias (born August 6, 1947) is a British and German Swiss film stage and television Actor and director. Paul Nicholas (born Paul Oscar Beuselinck 3 December 1945 in Peterborough, England) is an English Actor and Christopher Langham (born 14 April 1949) is a BAFTA award-winning British Writer, Actor and Comedian. Pamela Stephenson also known as Pamela Stephenson Connolly, Annie Ross (born July 25 1930) is a Jazz Singer and actress best known as a member of the trio Lambert Hendricks & Ross Bonita Melody Lysette "Bonnie" Langford ( July 22, 1964) is an English actress and entertainer Louise Gold (born 1956 in London) is a British singer-actress and Spitting Image puppeteer formerly a puppeteer for The

1984 Australian Production

The Australian production opened in Melbourne in January 1984 at the Victorian Arts Centre and was the first work staged in the new performing arts complex. Melbourne ( is the second most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 3 It was directed by John Feraro and starred Jon English as the Pirate King, Simon Gallaher as Frederic,^[8] June Bronhill as Ruth, David Atkins as the Sergeant of Police, and Marina Prior as Mabel. Jonathon James English (born 26 March, 1949 in Hampstead London, England) is a rock singer, Musician, June Bronhill OBE ( 26 June 1929 &ndash 24 January 2005) was an internationally acclaimed Soprano Opera singer David Atkins (born 11 December 1955 is an Australian actor dancer choreographer and CEO of David Atkins Enterprises a professional major events production company Marina Prior (often spelled Pryor (born in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on) is an Australian singer and actress The six week limited season was followed by an Australian national tour throughout 1984, and return seasons in 1985 and 1986. In 1985, Pirates was the first production in the new Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane and set attendance records that were not surpassed until many years later by The Phantom of The Opera. Brisbane ( is the state capital of Queensland. Brisbane is the third most populous city in Australia and the most populous city of Queensland

The Papp production was turned into a film (released in 1983), with all of the original Broadway cast reprising their roles, except that Angela Lansbury replaced Estelle Parsons as Ruth. Angela Brigid Lansbury, CBE (born October 16, 1925) is an English Golden Globe Award and Tony Award winning Actress The minor roles used British actors mimeing to their Broadway counterparts. The film was not a success, but, according to the IMDB, this "had nothing to do with the reviews, which were often quite positive. The real problem lay with Universal's decision to release the film simultaneously to SelecTV and to theaters. SelecTV was a subscription ( Pay TV) television service beginning operation in 1976 and ending in 1991 Theater owners were so angry that they boycotted the film; in the end, only 92 theaters agreed to show it, and it enjoyed a long run at only one of them. "^[9] The film has been shown occasionally on television. Another film based loosely on the opera, The Pirate Movie, was released during the Broadway run. Plot summary Mabel Stanley (McNichol an introverted girl who yearns for popularity attends a Pirate festival called Pirate Day in her seaside community in Australia

Opera Australia's 2007 touring production, with Anthony Warlow as the Pirate King

The Papp production design has been widely imitated in other modern productions of Pirates, even where traditional orchestration and standard score are used. Anthony Warlow (born 18 November 1961 in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia) is an Australian Opera and Musical theatre performer Many modern productions are also influenced by the popular Disney film franchise Pirates of the Caribbean. Pirates of the Caribbean is a multi-billion dollar Walt Disney franchise encompassing a theme park ride a series of films

Recordings

This opera has been recorded many times. Of the recordings by the D'Oyly Carte Opera company, the 1968 recording (with complete dialogue) is the best, while the 1957 recording has also been well received. The 1993 Mackerras recording is admired for its musical values, and the 1981 Papp recording is excellent, although it has adapted orchestrations. Of the available commercial videos, the Brent Walker is considered better than the Papp version. ^[10]

Selected recordings

• 1929 D'Oyly Carte – Conductor: Malcolm Sargent^[11]
• 1957 D'Oyly Carte – New Symphony Orchestra of London; Conductor: Isidore Godfrey^[12]
• 1961 Sargent/Glyndebourne – Pro Arte Orchstra, Glyndebourne Festival Chorus; Conductor: Sir Malcolm Sargent^[13]
• 1968 D'Oyly Carte (with dialogue) – Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Conductor: Isidore Godfrey ^[14]
• 1981; 1983 Papp's Pirates (with dialogue) – Director: Wilford Leach; Musical Director: William Elliott; Choreographer: Graciela Daniele^[15]
• 1982 Brent Walker Productions (with dialogue) – Ambrosian Opera Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra; Conductor: Alexander Faris; Stage Director: Michael Geliot^[16]
• 1990 New D'Oyly Carte – Conductor: John Pryce-Jones^[17]
• 1993 Mackerras/Telarc – Orchestra and Chorus of the Welsh National Opera; Conductor: Sir Charles Mackerras^[18]
• 1994 Essgee Entertainment (video adaptation) – Director and Choreographer: Craig Schaefer; Orchestrator and Conductor: Kevin Hocking; Additional Lyrics: Melvyn Morrow^[19]

Cultural impact

Main article: Cultural influence of Gilbert and Sullivan

Pirates is one of the most frequently referenced works of Gilbert and Sullivan. WikipediaWikiProject Classical music#Biographical_infoboxes -->Sir Harold Malcolm Watts Sargent (29 April 1895 &ndash 3 October 1967 Isidore Godfrey ( September 27 1900 &ndash September 12 1977) was musical director of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company for 39 years Wilford Leach ( August 26 1929 - June 18 1988) was an American Theatre director, Set designer, Film William Elliott may refer to William Elliott (RAF officer (1896&ndash1971 senior RAF commander during WWII William Yandell Elliott Graciela Daniele (born December 8, 1939 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Dancer, Choreographer, and Theatre director In the past 125 years Gilbert and Sullivan have pervasively influenced Popular culture in the English-speaking world. The Major-General's Song, in particular, is frequently parodied, pastiched and used in advertising. The Major-General's Song is a Patter song from Gilbert and Sullivan 's 1879 Comic opera The Pirates of Penzance. The word pastiche describes a literary or other artistic Genre. Its challenging patter has proved interesting to comics, notably as Tom Lehrer's song, The Elements, and it is used in film and on television, unchanged in many instances, as a character's audition piece, or seen in a "school play" scene. The patter song is a staple of Comic opera, but it has also been used in musicals and other situations Thomas Andrew "Tom" Lehrer (born April 9 1928)is an American Singer-songwriter, satirist, Pianist, and mathematician " The Elements " ( 1959) is a song by musical humorist Tom Lehrer, which recites the names of all the Chemical elements known at the time of writing A few examples include:

• In Animaniacs, Yakko Warner, in the episode "H. Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs, usually referred to as Animaniacs, is an American animated series, distributed by Warner Bros Yakko Wakko and Dot Warner, also known as "The Warner Brothers (and the Warner Sister", are three Cartoon characters featured on the Animated series M. S. Yakko," sings the famous pastiche, "I am the very model of a cartoon individual";
• The computer-animated series ReBoot ended its third season with a recap of the entire season, set to the song's tune;
• In the Doctor Who Big Finish Productions audio, Doctor Who and the Pirates, the Doctor sings, "I am the very model of a Gallifreyan buccaneer" (and other songs, from Pirates, Pinafore and Ruddigore, are parodied);
• The Muppet Show (season 3, episode 61)^[20] staged a duet of the song with guest host and commedienne Gilda Radner and a six-foot tall talking carrot (The scene bore an ironic parody to another scene in Pirates, as Radner had requested a six-foot tall talking parrot, but was misheard);
• David Hyde Pierce's monologue, as host of Saturday Night Live, was a parody of the song;
• In the Frasier episode Fathers and Sons, Frasier, Niles, and Leland Barton sing the first verse of the song. ReBoot is a Canadian CGI - animated action-adventure Television series that originally aired from 1994 to 2001 Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. Big Finish Productions is a British company that produces books and audio plays (released straight to Compact disc and Doctor Who and the Pirates ( Or The Lass That Lost A Sailor) is a Big Finish Productions audio drama based on the long-running British The Doctor is the central character in the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who, and also features in Gallifrey is a fictional planet in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who and is the homeworld Ruddigore, or The Witch's Curse, is a Comic opera in two acts with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W The Muppet Show is an American Television program featuring a cast of Muppets which was produced by Jim Henson and his team from Gilda Susan Radner ( June 28, 1946 – May 20, 1989) was an Emmy Award -winning American Comedienne and Actress David Hyde Pierce (born April 3, 1959) is an American Actor, best known for his role as Psychiatrist Dr Saturday Night Live ( SNL) is a weekly late-night 90-minute American Sketch comedy / Variety show based in New York City Frasier is an American sitcom, a Spin-off of Cheers starring Kelsey Grammer as Martin tries to join in but confuses the lyrics, singing something about a "scary hippopotamus" (instead of "the square of a hypotenuse");
• In the Mad About You episode "Moody Blues," Paul directs a charity production of Penzance starring his father, Burt, as the Major-General. Mad About You is an American Sitcom that aired on NBC from September 23, 1992, to May 24, 1999 Parts of rehearsal and performance of the song are shown. When the lyrics slip Burt's mind, he improvises a few lines about his son.
• In The Wild Thornberrys episode "Sir Nigel," Nigel Thornberry sings a song about the family to the tune of the song;
• In a VeggieTales episode entitled "The Wonderful World of Auto-Tainment", Archibald Asparagus sings the first two verses of this song when asked to sing about "Military Intelligence";
• In the Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip episode "The Cold Open" (2006), the cast performs a sketch including a parody of the song: "We'll be the very model of a modern network TV show"; and
• In an episode of Pinky and The Brain, The Brain sings a typically megalomaniacal parody of the song. The Wild Thornberrys is an American Animated television series that aired on Nickelodeon from 1998 to 2004 VeggieTales is a series of English language children's computer animated Films featuring Anthropomorphic Vegetables Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was an American Pinky and the Brain are Cartoon characters who have starred in the American Animated television series Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs
• In The Simpsons episode "Deep Space Homer" (1F13), Barney Gumble quotes the first lines while executing difficult gymnastic tumbles for astronaut training. " Deep Space Homer " is the fifteenth episode of The Simpsons ' fifth season and first aired on February 24 1994 Barnard "Barney" Gumble is a recurring character in the animated television series The Simpsons.
• In an Assy McGee episode entitled "Pegfinger", Detective Sanchez's wife is a member of a community theater that performs the opera. Assy McGee is an animated sitcom which takes place in a fictional version of Exeter New Hampshire.

Other songs from the show that have been used frequently include the chorus of With cat-like tread, which begins "Come, friends, who plough the sea," which was used in the popular American song, "Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here," popularized by Fred Astaire. For other uses see The Gang's All Here (disambiguation. " Hail hail the gang's all here " is the popular refrain from the 1915 Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz; May 10, 1899 &ndash June 22, 1987) was an American Academy Award It is also part of the soundtrack, along with other Gilbert and Sullivan songs, in the 1981 film, Chariots of Fire. For the instrumental theme see Chariots of Fire (instrumental. The song was also pastiched in an episode of Animaniacs in a song about surfing a whale. Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs, usually referred to as Animaniacs, is an American animated series, distributed by Warner Bros

Other notable instances of references to Pirates include a New York Times article on 29 February 1940, memorializing that Frederic was finally out of his indentures. Leap years Although the modern calendar counts a year as 365 days a complete revolution around the sun takes approximately 365 days and 6 hours Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Six years previously, the arms granted to the municipal borough of Penzance in 1934 contain a pirate dressed in Gilbert's original costuming, and Penzance had a rugby team called the Penzance Pirates, which is now called the Cornish Pirates. Penzance (Pensans also Penzans, IPA: /pɛnˈzæns/ is a town Civil parish, and Port in the Penwith district of Cornwall The Cornish Pirates are a British professional Rugby union team who play in National Division One of the English rugby union league and are the In 1980, Isaac Asimov wrote a short story called "The Year of the Action", concerning whether the action of Pirates took place on March 1, 1873, or March 1, 1877. Isaac Asimov (c January 2 1920 &ndash April 6 1992 ˈaɪzək ˈæzɪmʌv originally Исаак Озимов but now transcribed into Russian as, was a Russian That is, did Gilbert take into account the fact that 1900 was not a leap year?^[21]

Film references to Pirates include Kate and Leopold, where there are multiple references, including a scene where Leopold sings "I Am The Very Model of A Modern Major General" while accompanying himself on the piano; and in Pretty Woman, Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) covered a social gaffe by prostitute Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts), who said that the opera La Traviata was so good that she almost "peed in [her] pants" by saying that she had said that she liked it almost as much as "The Pirates of Penzance. Kate & Leopold is a 2001 romantic comedy Motion picture that tells a story of a Duke who Time travels from 1876 to the present and falls Pretty Woman is a 1990 Romantic comedy film. The film centers around the titular character down-on-her-luck Prostitute Vivian Ward ( Richard Tiffany Gere (born August 31, 1949) is a Golden Globe - and Screen Actors Guild Award -winning American Actor. Julia Fiona Roberts (born October 28 1967 is an American - Academy Award winning Film actress and former Fashion model. La traviata is an Opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi set to an Italian Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. " In Walt Disney's cartoon Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers (2004), there is a performance of The Pirates of Penzance that becomes the setting for the climactic battle between the Musketeers and Captain Pete. Mickey Donald Goofy The Three Musketeers (also known as simply The Three Musketeers) is a Direct-to-video animated adaptation Black Pete could refer to one of the following characters in fiction Zwarte Piet, a character in Dutch folklore and companion of Sinterklaas.

In the TV series, The West Wing, "The Pirates of Penzance" and other Gilbert & Sullivan operas are mentioned, in particular by Deputy Communications Director, Sam Seaborn, who was once recording secretary of the Gilbert and Sullivan society in school. Samuel Norman "Sam" Seaborn is a Fictional character played by Rob Lowe on the Television serial Drama The West In Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, a poster from "The Pirates of Penzance" hangs on Matt Albie's (Matthew Perry) office wall. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was an American Early life and education Perry was born in Williamstown Massachusetts. In Square One Television's Mathnet, George Frankly mentions that two cons that he had sent to jail, named "Karamazov", used a prison performance of Pirates as an opportunity to escape. Square One Television (sometimes referred to as Square One) was a Children 's Television show produced by the Children's Television Mathnet is a segment on the children's television show Square One in which five seasons were produced (1987-88 1990-92

The show is referred to in video games. In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, a casino is called "Pirates in Men's Pants", a crude play on "Pirates of Penzance". Grand Theft Auto San Andreas is a sandbox-style action-adventure computer and Video game developed by Rockstar North The opera has also lent itself to other cultural references, such as the unlikely slang used by Melburnian youths, who refer to marijuana as "Pirates of Penzance" or the "Gilbert & Sullivan Special. Melbourne ( is the second most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 3 "

Adaptations

• Di Yam Gazlonim, A Yiddish adaptation of Pirates by Al Grand that continues to be performed frequently in the United States. Yiddish (yi [[wiktייִדיש ייִדיש]] yidish or yi [[wiktאידיש אידיש]] idish, literally "Jewish" is a nonterritorial High The 2006 production at the National Yiddish Theater - Folksbiene was nominated for a 2007 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival. The Drama Desk Award, created in 1955, is an award which recognizes shows produced on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-off-Broadway, and
• Parson's Pirates by Opera della Luna
• The Pirate Movie
• Pirates! Or, Gilbert And Sullivan Plunder'd (2006), a musical comedy, adapted by Nell Benjamin, first presented Nov 1, 2006 at Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut, then June 9-July 8, 2007 at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey. Opera della Luna, founded in 1994 is a British touring theatre troupe of singers and comedians Plot summary Mabel Stanley (McNichol an introverted girl who yearns for popularity attends a Pirate festival called Pirate Day in her seaside community in Australia Goodspeed Musicals, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theater and the creation of new works was formed in 1959 to restore the Goodspeed East Haddam is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. Connecticut ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. Paper Mill Playhouse is a Regional theatre located in Millburn, New Jersey, less than 25 miles away from Manhattan. New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States.
• Pirates of Penzance - The Ballet!
• Essgee Entertainment produced an adapted version of Pirates in 1994 in Australia and New Zealand. Pirates of Penzance &ndash The Ballet! (originally called Pirates! The Ballet) is a Comic ballet adapted ^[22] Their producer, Simon Gallaher (Frederic in the Australian Papp production), produced another adaptation of Pirates that toured Australia from 2001 to 2003.

See also

• Major General's Song
• Our Island Home, one of the sources of the libretto for Pirates

Notes

References

• Gänzl, Kurt (1986). Banquets of the Black Widowers is a collection of mystery short stories by Science fiction author Isaac Asimov featuring his fictional The British Musical Theatre—Volume I, 1865–1914. Oxford: Oxford University Press.  

• Rollins, Cyril; R. John Witts (1962). The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in Gilbert and Sullivan Operas: A Record of Productions, 1875–1961. London: Michael Joseph.   Also, five supplements, privately printed.

• Tillett, Selwyn & Roderick Spencer (2002). "Forty Years of Thespis Scholarship". Retrieved on 2006-05-25. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1085 - Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo Spain back from the Moors.

External links

• The Pirates of Penzance at The Gilbert & Sullivan Archive
• The Pirates of Penzance at The Gilbert & Sullivan Discography
• Discussion of the background of the Paignton and New York openings
• The Pirates of Penzance at IMDB
• Papp's Pirates at The Internet Broadway Database
• Essgee's "Pirates" in Australia at The Internet Broadway Database
• Review of the opening night by Clement Scott
• Site containing biographies of the people listed in the historical casting chart
• Kevin Wachs' research as to the original incarnation of the opera (PDF file)
• Page includes MP3 files of music from Pirates
• Page linking to numerous Pirates song parodies