Composer

:

Arthur Sullivan

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

Compose Date

:

1877 - 1884

Average_duration

:

86:50

Movement_count

:

28

Movement ....

The Sorcerer is an opera composed by Arthur Sullivan with a libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It was first performed at the Opera Comique in London on November 17, 1877. The plot revolves around a young couple, Alexis and Aline, who are in love but cannot marry because of the class differences between them. Alexis decides to hire a sorcerer, John Wellington Wells, to cast a love potion on the entire village, causing everyone to fall in love with the first person they see. The opera is divided into two acts and features a total of 14 musical numbers. The first act introduces the characters and sets up the plot, while the second act focuses on the consequences of the love potion and the attempts to reverse its effects. The music of The Sorcerer is characterized by Sullivan's signature style of catchy melodies and witty lyrics. The score features a variety of musical styles, including ballads, duets, and ensemble numbers. The most famous song from the opera is "My Name is John Wellington Wells," which is sung by the sorcerer in the first act. The premiere of The Sorcerer was a success, and it ran for a total of 178 performances. It was the first collaboration between Gilbert and Sullivan, and it established their reputation as a successful writing team. The success of The Sorcerer paved the way for their future collaborations, including H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, and The Mikado. Overall, The Sorcerer is a charming and lighthearted opera that showcases the talents of both Gilbert and Sullivan. Its catchy tunes and witty lyrics have made it a beloved classic of the operatic repertoire.

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