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| Lithograph depicts Kate Forster, Geraldine Ulmar, and Geraldine St. Maur as the three little maids, respectively Pitti-Sing, Yum-Yum, and Peep-Bo. source: wikipedia |
by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com
On March 14, 1885, Gilbert and Sullivan's light opera The Mikado opened for the first time at the Savoy Theater in London, running for 672 performances. Richard Temple played the first Mikado of Japan.
Link to Two Reviews of the opening night performance on the Eugene Opera website.
A satire on British political institutions set in a fictitious Japan performed in a fast paced, pitter-patter style was an opening night rousing success. W.S. Gilbert's clever lyrics married to Arthur Sullivan's witty music allowed for the treatment of harsh themes in a humorous way.
Wikipedia article on Cultural Influences of Gilbert and Sullivan.
A Latin proverb, Culpae poena par esto, or Let the punishment fit the crime, has some claim to its current use from the Mikado. I myself have used the term, Grand Poopah, which is a variation of the real name label, Grand Poobah, which I probably picked up from its use on the television shows The Flintstones and Happy Days. Grand Poobah, in fact, has its own Wikipedia article.
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| Richard Temple as the Mikado of Japan March 14, 1885 source: Wikipedia |
YouTube: Three Little Maids from School
The Stratford Festival, 1982
Yum Yum: Marie Baron, Peep Bo: Karen Skidmore, Pitti Sing: Karen Wood
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