H.M.S. PINAFORE


Comic opera in two acts; music by Sir Arthur Sullivan; text by W.
S. Gilbert. First produced at the Opera Comique, London, May 28,
1878.  The first American performance, New York, 1878, was
unauthorized; the first important American production took place
November, 1897, at the Boston Museum. 

The success of "Pinafore" seems to be as lasting as the mighty
deep itself, and nearly as widespread: certainly wherever the
English language is spoken it is one of the most popular of comic
operas. It sprang to instant popularity in the United States, its
success being rivaled among Gilbert and Sullivan's works only by
the "Mikado."  Its popularity is well deserved for it contains
some of Gilbert's most clever sallies of wit and some of
Sullivan's most charming melodies.  Moreover, the former's satire
on matters nautical in England during victorian days and the
latter's parody of "sea music" can be as well appreciated and
enjoyed now as ever.

                           CHARACTERS

Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B, First Lord of the Admiralty
Captain Corcoran, Commanding "H.M.S. Pinafore"
Ralph Rackstraw, able seaman
Dick Deadeye, able seaman
Tom Tucker, midshipmate
Josephine, the Captain's daughter
Hebe, Sir Joseph's first cousin
Little Buttercup, a bumboat woman
First Lord's Sisters, his Cousins and Aunts, Sailors, Marines.

The action takes place on the Quarterdeck of "H.M.S. Pinafore,"
1878.


                             ACT I

His Majesty's Ship, "Pinafore," is anchored in the harbor at
Portsmouth.  The sailors are busy scrubbing the decks for the
expected arrival of Sir Joseph Porter, K. C. B.  Little
Buttercup, a bumboat woman who is by no means as small as her
name would imply, comes aboard with a stock of "snuff and tobaccy
and excellent jacky," not to mention "excellent peppermint
drops."

It transpires that a handsome young sailor, Ralph, is in love
with the Captain's daughter, Josephine.  She, however, is to be
betrothed to Sir Joseph Porter, who duly arrives attended by "his
sisters and his cousins and his aunts."  In the meantime, Ralph
plans to elope with Josephine, the crew assisting.  The plot is
overheard by Dick Deadeye, the lugubrious boatswain.


                             ACT II

Captain Corcoran is alone on deck and sings to the moon.  Little
Buttercup comes to him and reveals her affection.  He tells her
that because of his rank he can only be her friend; but she hints
darkly that a change is in store for him, saying that "things are
seldom what they seem."

Sir Joseph returns, complaining that Josephine does not favor his
suit.  The Captain comforts him by averring that she is awed by
his lofty station and suggests that he plead his cause on the
ground that love levels all rank.  Still Josephine does not
respond, for her heart is set upon Ralph.

Dick Deadeye reveals the elopement plan, and he and the Captain
lie in wait for the crew, "carefully on tip-toe stealing."  The
elopers are captured, and the Captain is so exasperated that he
actually swears, using a "big, big D" which is overheard by Sir
Joseph Porter.  For this serious breach of morals, a horrible
example of depravity before the whole crew, the Captain is
ordered to his cabin.

Affairs are interrupted by Little Buttercup, who discloses a
secret, telling how the Captain and Ralph had been accidental]y
exchanged while they were both babies.  Whereupon, Sir Joseph,
with true Gilbertian logic, sends for Ralph and makes him
Captain, and at the same time reduces Corcoran to Ralph's former
humble grade of "able seaman."  Now, since it is out of the
question for one of Sir Joseph's exalted station to marry the
daughter of a mere seaman, his Lordship nobly consents to the
marriage of Ralph and Josephine.  The erstwhile Captain consoles
himself with Little Buttercup.

[Plot summary from the book The Victor Book of the Opera, RCA
Manufacturing Co., Camden, NJ, 1936.]