description Princess Ida Overview
Princess Ida is a Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera that premiered at the Savoy Theatre in London in 1884. Based on Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem 'The Princess,' it is unique in the Gilbert and Sullivan canon for being structured in three acts rather than the typical two. The opera tells the story of Princess Ida, who runs a women's university where men are forbidden, and Prince Hilarion, to whom she was betrothed in infancy. Despite containing some of Sullivan's most sophisticated music, the work is less frequently revived than other Gilbert and Sullivan collaborations.
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What is the plot of Princess Ida?
Princess Ida establishes a women's university at Castle Adamant and rejects the marriage arranged for her with Prince Hilarion. The comic conflict involves education, gender roles, and the rivalry between Ida's father King Gama and Hilarion's family.
Why is Princess Ida unusual among Gilbert and Sullivan operettas?
It is structured in three acts, whereas many of Gilbert and Sullivan's best-known Savoy operettas use two. The work premiered at London's Savoy Theatre in 1884.
Who wrote the music and libretto for Princess Ida?
Arthur Sullivan composed the music and W.S. Gilbert wrote the libretto. The operetta is based on Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem The Princess.
What is Castle Adamant in Princess Ida?
Castle Adamant is Ida's fictional university for women and the main setting of the operetta. Its isolation creates the central comic dispute when Prince Hilarion and his companions try to enter.
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