“A Most Ingenious Paradox!”
Whenever I think of “Leap Year,” I think of poor young Frederick, the buccaneer apprentice from Gilbert and Sullivan’s most madcap operetta, The Pirates of Penzance. The handsome young swashbuckler vowed to serve the Pirate King until his 21st birthday.
Unfortunately, he was born on February 29th -- Leap Day. He has experienced only five birthdays, so he must remain a pirate for another sixty four years!
W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan created fourteen delightfully silly operas during the late 1800s. The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, and The Mikado – among others – are regular favorites of high schools, colleges, and repertory theaters throughout the globe.
Despite being over a century old, these shows still inspire a passionate following. Student-led Gilbert and Sullivan Societies can be found on many college campuses. Here’s a small sampling of the excellent resources available:
- Manchester University Gilbert and Sullivan Society: There’s nothing fancy about their web design, but this site features plot summaries and mp3 files of some of the more popular productions, including Pirates and Penzance and The Mikado.
- Yale’s Gilbert and Sullivan Society: Young and talented performers and musicians carry on the tradition of comic opera. Lots of high quality images can be found in their photo archives.
- Boise State University’s Gilbert and Sullivan Archive: A monumental collection, offering the libretto of every G&S musical, along with invaluable lists of books, commentaries, and historical articles.
Happy Birthday to Frederick the Pirate Apprentice, and anyone else lucky enough to have February 29th as their birthday. It helps you stay young!
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