The Washington critic., 1885-08-24
4 JAPINESE OPEKd.
synopsis OF Gilbert and Sullivan X
" NhiixadO.

-
synopsis OF Gilbert and Suilivan's
Z" NhiiSadO.''
The characters in Gilbert and Sui
livans latest opera, the 'Mikado, y
which will be presented tonight for
the first time in Washington at the
Grand Opcra-llousc, are in many re-
spects the same as those in previous
works by the same authors. AS the
Philadelphia Press says: "Mr. Gilbert
is almost the only English author who
has the courage TO adhere strictly to
one plan and turn out new work each
year based upon the same model and
adhcring rigidly to the principles of
construction which he used in the be
ginning"
The motive, as in the other operas, is
a slavish devotion to II sense of duty
irrespective of the absurdities TO which
it leads. A synopsis of the action and
a few verses of the score will enable
the reader to form an impression of the
piece, which has drawn crowded houses
in New York ever since its first pre-
sCntation.
kO-kO, having been sentenced to death for
the awful crime of flirting, Is reprcvcl, and
instead Of being executed himself, was APP
pointed lord high eXecut!oner, but a decree
is issued commanding him to have an exc
cution within thirty days, even If he has to
he tie victim himself. In the following
song he expresses his confidence that he will
find victim.
As some day It may happen that a victim must
he found,
I've got u little list--T've got II little list
off. hp
ground,
And who never would be missed-who never
would be missed
There's the pcstilential nusances who write
for autographs
All people who have fabby hands and irritat
ing laughs
All children who are up in dates, and floor you
with em Hat
All persons who In shaking hands, shake
hands with you like that
And all third persons who on spelling tete-a-
tetes insist
They'd none Of em be missed-they'd none
of EN- he missed!
lie finds Nanki- 20, who is desperately in
love with his ward, but who has been be-
trothod to u spinster kdtishd, and conse.
quently is in despair. Ndaki-Po consents
to be executed, as he cannot marry Yum
Yum, the eXecutioncr's daughter He is
persuaded to marry and enjoy Il months
honeymoon. IUm- Yam agrees, and with
her three sisters is introduced in this little
catchy song:
Three little maids from school are we,
Pert as a school girl well can be-
Filled To the brim with girliSh glee,
Three little maids from school!
Everything is n source of fun. (ChWckle.)
Nohod's safe, for we care for none (Chuck2e.)
Life is Joke that's just begun (ChUctc.)
Three little maids from school
Three little maids who all unwary,
Core from ladies' seminary,
Freed from It's genius tutelary-
Three little maids from school.
But l'WH Yam finds out that the widow
Of dcCapitatcd man must be buried alive
This is more than her affection can endure
and she says;
Here's how-de-do!
II marry you,
When your time has come 10 perish,
Then the InaidCn whom YOU cherish
Must lie slaughtered too,
Here's hOw-Ge-dO!
The WkGd0 arrives and Is informed b,
| kC-kO that his orders have been obcyed anl
| that NoHki- 20 has been executed. Then /
| Is discovered that NOHki-PO was the NRri
DDS son, who had disguised himself as
minstrel. kG-kO adopts Il desperate rem
| ody AID proposes to kdtishd herself in tn
| following love song:
| on n tree by river Il little tOm-tit
sang willow, titw!llOw, titwillOw :"
And laid to him, "pichy-bird' why do yor
singing ,,'Willow, titwillow, titwillow!"
us Il weakness Of intellect, birdie Z" | erie
| "Cr iuthcr II tough worm In your little IN
| tiVpf'
With shake of his moor little head he replied
"oh, willow titwillow titwillow"
lie Slapped at his chest, AS he sat on tina
singing I'Wnlow, utwlnow, tltwIllowg
! Ard Il cold pCrspratiun bcspanglcl his brow
"Oh, willow tiiwillow, tltwilIow"'
lie sobhcd and he sighed, and gurglc h
Then he threw himself into the biliowy wave
| And an cello arose from the suicides grave
"Uh, willow, titwillow, t'twillow'
Now l feel Just as sure as I'm sure that N
lint Willow ttwillow, tItwlllow,
That twas bligmed affection that made hin
CNcluim,
And II You remain callous and obluratc,
Shall perish Ms he did, and you Will know VIII!
Though probably shall not cNClHim rs Gii
"Oh willow, titwillow, utwil!ow"
KGtisio accepts him and NdRhi-Po, fin,
ing her cut Of the way, ventures to he re.
directed, and receiving his fathers blessing
all ends happily.
Tie Characters Gs usual, in Mr.. Gilbert
plays, Cru complete contradictions Of the
professions The cNccutioner is as far 4
possible removed from boOd-thirstine'
AID would not harm fly If he could hel
IT, The MikGdu has hut one aim IN He
devise amusing plnishmeuts for all sorts
crime, and the Prime Minister who fills a
the CflcCs ON hO-k0'S stan, Is brililnl
and sarcastic reflection OF class OF uiliuia
who always pretend that they are anXio'