Best Of Gilbert & Sullivan Vol.2, The (The Yeoman Of The Guard/The Mikado/The Gondoliers) - D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Cast > Reviews > Of ballads, songs and snatches

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Mixed
Value for Money

Advantages:	The music, the lyrics, the make - up, the costumes
Disadvantages:	None whatsoever .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I first saw The Mikado in the civic centre at Ellesmere Port performed by an amateur group, The Ellesmere Port Light Opera Group. Needless to say my expectations weren’t great. How wrong could I be? The performance was magical. The costumes were bright and original. The singing was fantastic. Never again will I think less of an amateur performance.

As with most of Gilbert & Sullivan’s operettas, The Mikado is a satire on Britain’s Institutions and customs including the Victorian Utilitarian philosophy (Let the punishment fir the crime) and girl’s education.

The History

The Mikado was first performed on March 14th 1885 at the Savoy Theatre. Music composed by Sir Arthur Sullivan. Lyrics by William S Gilbert. Keeping to tradition, the operetta had an Alternative title, The Town of Titipu.

The Songs

The Mikado contains some of the better know Gilbert and Sullivan songs. A Wand’ring Mistral I of course sung by Nanki-Poo. The trio Three little maids from school are we. The wonderful baritone solo of the Mikado A More Human Mikado never did in Japan exist. (In the version I watched, they altered the words to a more modern version). On A tree by a river a little Tom Tit (Tit willow) sung by Ko-Ko.

The Synopsis
The Mikado is ostensibly a love story – boy meets girl, boy fall in love with girl, boy looses girl, boy meets girl again, boy marries girl. Nanki-Poo, the son of the Mikado of Japan left his father's court to escape marriage with Katisha, an elderly lady. Disguised as a travelling musician, he met and fell in love with Yum-Yum, the young ward of Ko-Ko, a cheap tailor in the town of Titipu. Yum-Yum, however, was already betrothed to her guardian, and Nanki-Poo left Titipu in despair. He returns to Titipu one year later eagerly seeking Yum-Yum. Ko-Ko has been condemned to death for flirting. Ko-Ko can be saved from execution if he finds someone who will be beheaded in his place. A bargain is struck, Ko-Ko agrees to let Nanki-Poo marry Yum-Yum and in return Nanki-Poo agrees to let Ko-Ko behead him at the end of the month and marry his widow. Everyone celebrates until Katisha arrives unannounced. She is furious at Nanki-Poo's rejection and vows revenge.
Ko-Ko meanwhile has discovered a law that states when a married man is beheaded his wife must be buried alive. In order to spare Yum-Yum, Nanki-Poo decides to kill himself at once. Ko-Ko agrees to swear he has beheaded Nanki-Poo. The happy couple plan to disappear and marry secretly. The Mikado arrives and tells how he rules in a utilitarian manner. He discovers that Ko-Ko has beheaded his son and decides that Ko-Ko should be punished in a manner fitting to the crime. Ko-Ko has to produce Nanki-Poo alive and well to save his own life. He first has to marry Katisha.
Nanki-Poo then returns to life and presents himself and his new bride to his father, the Mikado. A happy ending all round.
Confused? I am and I wrote it. You have to watch it to understand it but aren’t the names fabulous.
DVD
There are a number of DVDs available. The earliest version was originally recorded in 1938 and released on DVD in 2000. It retails at about £12.
Released by Image Entertainment in 1998. Cost approximately £12.
Released in 2002. Performed by the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and directed by Stuart Burge. Cost approximately £18.99.

CDs
There are several CDs available. Among the best are
The Mikado released in 2003 performed by the D’Oyly Carte Opera Chorus on the Decca Label. Cost £11 .99.
Mikado released in 2001 performed by the Welsh Opera Chorus on the Telarc Label. Cost £13,99. This is the version I have and can recommend it wholeheartedly.

As always I would recommend watching a live performance but if you are not fortunate to be able to do this. At least watch a DVD or listen to a CD. You will love it!!