The Mikado

"The Mikado" was written by the famous Victorian-era partnership of librettist W. S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan. It premiered at the Savoy Theatre in London in 1885 and became the most internationally successful of their collaborative Savoy operas.

In "The Mikado," the character Ko-Ko sings the famous patter song "I've Got a Little List," detailing society's annoying individuals who would not be missed if they were executed. The lyrics are traditionally updated by modern performers to reference contemporary political or pop-culture figures.

Although the story is set in a fictionalized version of the Japanese town of Titipu, the creators used the setting to thinly veil a sharp satire of British politics. The choice of an exotic locale was highly fashionable in 1880s London.

The "Three Little Maids from School" refers to Yum-Yum, Peep-Bo, and Pitti-Sing, who sing one of the most recognizable trios in the operetta. The catchy tune became a massive popular craze in the late 19th century.