the mikado

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.