28^th Festival Season - 2007

Princess Ida

By: Gilbert and Sullivan

Premiere: Savoy Theatre, London, 5 January 1884

Princess Ida, daughter of the crusty King Gama, has been betrothed since childhood to Prince Hilarion, son of King Hildebrand. Gama, however, is unable to deliver his daughter to Hilarion because she is occupied as founder and ruler of an all-girls university, which educates young women on the realities of men. The school excludes everything male—even "hymns" are referred to as "hers." Hildebrand orders the arrest of Gama, as Hilarion decides that he still wants to win Ida's heart. He and his friends, Cyril and Florian, enter the college in female disguise. When they cross paths with Lady Psyche, Professor of Humanities, who happens to be Florian's sister, they are forced to confess their identities and are imprisoned by Ida. Hildebrand and his men threaten to execute Ida's three brothers if Hilarion is not released and allowed to wed Ida. The Princess defies his challenge and readies for combat. Gama arrives, a crushed man, as Hildebrand has provided him so many luxuries in prison that he has nothing to complain about. His tears move Ida to order the gates opened and the masculine hordes admitted. She confesses that perhaps her thinking has been misguided and offers her hand to Hilarion.

Princess Ida showcases Gilbert and Sullivan at their wittiest and most cynical. Whether it is Hilarion and his friends mocking the idea of a woman's college in They intend to send a wire to the moon or Lady Psyche's warning to her students that a man at best is only a monkey shaved, you will delight in this rarely performed G&S gem.