HMS
Pinafore was premiered on
28 May 1878 in the Opera Comique, London. It took the world by storm and ran
for 700 performances. A similar theme to 'The Sorcerer' - love triumphs over
distinctions of rank - Gilbert illustrates his knowledge the British Navy,
and his clever, catchy rhymes have a perfect setting in Sullivan's vigorous,
irresistible sea shanty melodies. An innovation was the establishment of a
chorus which achieved unprecedented importance as a collective character in
the plot.
Footnote: The Music on this page background is an instrumental arrangement of
'We Sail the Ocean Blue' from HMS Pinafore.