Opera

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Do people think of Gilbert & Sullivan as an opera or even I guess operetta? To me, it's more of a musical.
Anyways, off to the ENO tomorrow for the Pirates of Penzance. If nothing else, it's a light hearted night out.

 

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Do people think of Gilbert & Sullivan as an opera or even I guess operetta? To me, it's more of a musical.
Anyways, off to the ENO tomorrow for the Pirates of Penzance. If nothing else, it's a light hearted night out.

They used to do a G&S at the Proms every year when Ned Sherrin was alive. He would tweek the songs to put in contemporary political references.
I think that is why it was a cult originally - it was seen as slightly edgy as well as "nice"
No idea if the ENO incorporate such adaptions.
To anwer your question it's defintiely operaetta in the manner of Die Fledermaus etc.

 

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I'm not sure about the Pirates but certainly the Mikado's little list has been tweaked every time I've seen it. Also, it's been changed from ancient Japan to very contemporary.
Saw it once with Eric Idle, with Bill Oddie and with Jasper Carrot, I think.
Eric was born for the part; very jolly hickey sticks, anyone for tennis in a dashing sort of way. I think Bill had to use a megaphone. Mrs Tag says the Carrot was superb.
Thinking about tomorrow I'm sure the modern major generals song gets tweaked.
PS. Don't get the wrong idea; I much prefer the likes of Verdi, Mozart etc.