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.