The Mikado or The Town of Titipu is a comic opera in two acts with music by Arthur Sullivan with a libretto by W. S. Gilbert and was their ninth of fourteen operatic collaborations. It opened in March 1885, in London, where it ran at the Savoy Theatrefor 672 performances, which was the second longest run for any work of musical theatre and one of the longest runs of any theatre piece up to that time. The opera is set in Japan which allowed Gilbert to satirise British politics and institutions more freely by disguising them as Japanese. Gilbert used foreign or fictional locales in several other operas to soften the impact of his pointed satire. All of Sullivan's best tunes from the opera appear in the overture. This score has been reconstructed from the parts used by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. The original clarinets' part is scored for both Bb and A clarinets. Additionally, we have provided a part transposed into Bb where necessary so that A clarinets are not essential. Only one percussionist is required to play timpani and percussion, though the bass drum and cymbal need to be capable of being played together.
- ISMN: 9790222285163 (M222285163)