Pitti-Sing's definitions
The Mikado is an operetta which was written by Gilbert and Sullivan and first performed in 1885.
The operetta is highly comedic, satirical depiction of life in the Japanese town of Titipu. While the plot appears to be poking fun at Japanese tradition, it is actually a cleverly disguised parody of British politics. The plot follows Nanki-Poo, the son of Japan's lordlike Mikado, in his attempts to woo the fair Yum-Yum away from her fiance Ko-Ko, whilst avoiding the affections of his own betrothed, the elderly Katisha.
The male roles in the Mikado are:
-The Mikado (bass)
-Nanki-Poo, his son (tenor)
-Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner (baritone)
-Pooh-Bah, the Lord High Everything Else (baritone)
-Pish-Tush, a nobleman (baritone or bass)
The female roles in the Mikado are:
-Yum-Yum, Ko-Ko's betrothed (soprano)
-Peep-Bo, a ward of Ko-Ko (soprano)
-Pitti-Sing, her sister (mezzo-soprano)
-Katisha, a noblewoman (contralto)
However, sometimes people with different ranges can play various roles in the operetta. Pitti-Sing can be successfully sung by an alto, while any female singer could play Katisha as long as she has a low range. If the actor playing Pish-Tush cannot hit a bottom F, another character, Go-To, may be played by a bass to sing Pish-Tush's lower parts.
The operetta is highly comedic, satirical depiction of life in the Japanese town of Titipu. While the plot appears to be poking fun at Japanese tradition, it is actually a cleverly disguised parody of British politics. The plot follows Nanki-Poo, the son of Japan's lordlike Mikado, in his attempts to woo the fair Yum-Yum away from her fiance Ko-Ko, whilst avoiding the affections of his own betrothed, the elderly Katisha.
The male roles in the Mikado are:
-The Mikado (bass)
-Nanki-Poo, his son (tenor)
-Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner (baritone)
-Pooh-Bah, the Lord High Everything Else (baritone)
-Pish-Tush, a nobleman (baritone or bass)
The female roles in the Mikado are:
-Yum-Yum, Ko-Ko's betrothed (soprano)
-Peep-Bo, a ward of Ko-Ko (soprano)
-Pitti-Sing, her sister (mezzo-soprano)
-Katisha, a noblewoman (contralto)
However, sometimes people with different ranges can play various roles in the operetta. Pitti-Sing can be successfully sung by an alto, while any female singer could play Katisha as long as she has a low range. If the actor playing Pish-Tush cannot hit a bottom F, another character, Go-To, may be played by a bass to sing Pish-Tush's lower parts.
by Pitti-Sing June 23, 2006
Get the the mikado mug.The highest register of the human voice. A note properly sung in this register can, in fact, shatter glass.
The whistle register is very rarely used in music, mostly because the ability to hold a pitch in the whistle register is itself very rare. However, singers who can reach these notes do have a few special privileges. Only a whistle-register singer may play the Queen of the Night in Mozart's Die Zauberflote.
The whistle register is very rarely used in music, mostly because the ability to hold a pitch in the whistle register is itself very rare. However, singers who can reach these notes do have a few special privileges. Only a whistle-register singer may play the Queen of the Night in Mozart's Die Zauberflote.
by Pitti-Sing June 23, 2006
Get the whistle register mug.