The Pirates Of Penzance Or The Slave Of Duty: Comic Opera

It is a comic opera in two acts with music by Arthur Sullivan and text by W.S. Gilbert. The story concerns Frederic who having completed his 21st year is released from his apprenticeship to a band of tender-hearted pirates. He meets Mabel the daughter of Major-General Stanley and the two young people fall instantly in love. Frederic soon learns however that he was born on the 29th of February and so technically he has a birthday only once each leap year. His Indenture specifies that he remain apprenticed to the pirates until his “twenty-first birthday” meaning that he must serve for another 63 years. Bound by his own sense of duty Frederic’s only solace is that Mabel agrees to wait for him faithfully. Meanwhile the pirates have planned their revenge on the Major- General and are now coming to rob his estate. The sergeant and his police force await them. They meet. All matter resolved after the ensuing battle.