description The Zoo Overview
The Zoo is an English one-act comic opera from 1875, with music by Arthur Sullivan and a libretto by B. C. Stephenson. It is an early operetta-style stage work built around comedy and farce rather than a full-length dramatic structure.
The piece is also notable for the unusual history of its score, which did not surface publicly until 1966, making it relevant to listeners interested in Sullivan's lesser-known theatrical works.
help The Zoo FAQ
Who wrote the music and libretto for The Zoo?
The music was written by Arthur Sullivan and the libretto by B. C. Stephenson, who also used the name Bolton Rowe. The one-act comic opera was first performed in London in 1875.
How long is The Zoo compared with a typical operetta?
The Zoo is a one-act work rather than a full-length multi-act operetta. Its compact form centers on comedy and farce, making it suitable for a shorter theatrical program.
Where does the action of The Zoo take place?
The story is built around a zoo, where comic encounters and disguises drive the action. Its setting gives the piece a distinctive farcical frame instead of the courtly or domestic settings common in many operettas.
Is The Zoo connected to other Arthur Sullivan works?
The Zoo predates Sullivan's better-known Gilbert and Sullivan operettas such as The Mikado. Musical scholars have also noted a possible relationship between material in The Zoo and later Sullivan numbers, though the exact relationship is debated.
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