Mikado is the first compilation that qualifies as something like a complete opera.
The occasion for this milestone was a new repertory season at the Savoy directed by W. S. Gilbert himself, in the Company's first London appearance in several years. One look at the cast list, however, shows that there is much to be desired in this early effort. Numbers from the opera were recorded on an ad-hoc basis with whoever happened to be available for a particular recording session, hence the overlapping role assignments. The singers may not even have known their parts in advance. Wolfson and Francis disagree somewhat on the casting.