page_title: His Majesty (comic opera)
section_title: Production
hierarchical_section_title: His Majesty (comic opera) / Background / Production
caption_attribution_description: English: Image of George Grossmith and Ilka Palmay in His Majesty, scanned from "The Playhouses", Illustrated London News, 27 February 1897, p. 274. Public domain.
context_page_description: His Majesty, or, The Court of Vingolia is an English comic opera in two acts with dialogue by F. C. Burnand, lyrics by R. C. Lehmann, additional lyrics by Adrian Ross and music by Alexander Mackenzie.
  The work premiered at the Savoy Theatre in London on 20 February 1897, running for only 61 performances until 24 April 1897, despite a strong cast including George Grossmith, Ilka Pálmay, Scott Russell, Fred Billington, Florence Perry and Walter Passmore. The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company then toured the opera throughout 1897 alongside more familiar Gilbert and Sullivan works.
context_section_description: Carte assembled a high-quality team for His Majesty, including the well-known dramatist and writer F. C. Burnand and the well-respected composer Alexander Mackenzie.  Lyrics were supplied by Rudolph Lehmann, though his career gave no hint of a particular talent at writing verse.
  The piece was expected to draw the public solely on the strength of the return of George Grossmith after an absence of almost a decade from the Savoy Theatre.  Grossmith was well and fondly remembered for his creation there of the comedy roles in the famous series of Gilbert and Sullivan operas, and during his years away, he had become the most popular solo piano entertainer in the country.  The Savoy audience was eager to see him perform together on stage with his successor in the Savoy opera roles, Walter Passmore.  Rehearsals began in December 1896, an unusually long rehearsal period for the Savoy, but Mackenzie later recalled that even the company felt that the work was not wanted.  London's leading stage director, Charles Harris, was engaged, but he died a few days before the opera premiered, leaving the Cartes to finish his work.  Richard D'Oyly Carte took ill, leaving the final arrangements to his wife, Helen.  The Savoy's usual choreographer, John D'Auban arranged the dances.
  The opening night met with instantaneous signs of disapproval.  Grossmith received an ovation at his first appearance, but his entrance number met with a cool response from the house. The Whitehall Review declared that the audience preferred Passmore, and "whenever he appeared on the scene, hearty applause greeted him."  Though six encores were taken on the opening night, the piece seemed doomed to failure before its first public representation was complete.  Only three principals came forward for their curtain call.  Mackenzie was applauded warmly for his music, but when Burnand and Lehmann came forward, there was booing and hissing from all the private boxes and most of the pit.
caption: George Grossmith and Ilka Pálmay
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