Gilbert and Sullivan Archive

His Majesty

or,
The Court of Vingolia

An Original English Comic Opera in Two Acts.

dialogue by F.C. Burnand.
lyrics by R.C. Lehmann.
additional lyrics by Adrian Ross.
music by Alexander C. Mackenzie.
Savoy Theatre, February 20 - April 24, 1897 (61 performances).

King Ferdinand, while disguised as a court artist, has fallen in love with the peasant maid Felice, despite the fact that his late father decreed that he marry Lucilla Chloris, the daughter of the king of Osturia. Chloris has arrived for the wedding, but she is in love with Prince Max of Baluria. Things are complicated by the antics of Boodel, the King's former master of the revels. He keeps overhearing the tail-ends of conversations and concludes that a plot to assassinate Ferdinand is afoot. Most suspicious to him is a trunk carried by Felice.

The libretto, notes on the libretto, introduction, MIDI file, and reviews were submitted to the Archive by Clifton Coles.

• Introduction

• Libretto
  • Microsoft Word (243K File)
  • Adobe Acrobat PDF (218K File)
  • Text (120K file)

• Notes on the Libretto

• MIDI File - Introduction (6 min. 2 seconds)

• Opening Night Cast

• Programme from the production in the "museum" section.

• Opening night review from the London Times, published February 22, 1897.

• Opening night review of the revised version from the London Times, published March 27, 1897.

• Other Reviews, compiled by Scott Farrell

The drawing at the top of this page shows PRINCESS LUCILLA CHLORIS (of Osturia, daughter of MOPOLIO) played by Florence Perry; FERDINAND THE FIFTH (King of Vingolia) played by George Grossmith; and FELICE (adopted daughter of ADAM and GERTRUDE) played by Ilka von Palmay.

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Page updated 21 January 2002