Opera Guide—Ruddigore, by Gilbert & Sullivan

English Comic Operetta by the Writers of HMS Pinafore and The Mikado

Nov 9, 2009

Ruddigore (1887), the tenth opera by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, was an unsuccessful follow-up to their overwhelming popular Mikado.

Ruddigore, or The Witch's Curse, a comic opera by composer Arthur Sullivan and humorist W.S. Gilbert, shocked and offended operagoers at its Savoy premiere on January 22, 1887. The first problem was its original title, Ruddygore, deemed too much like the swear word "bloody." ("I propose altering the title of the piece," quipped Gilbert, "and calling it Kensington Gore, or, Not so good as the Mikado.") In addition, Gilbert's satire was too much for Victorian sensibilities when it came to religion, and the conversion of Mad Margaret to a Sunday School teacher had to be eliminated.

Sullivan's music, too, was unsatisfactory, but its main flaw was the composer's innovation and desire to write more sophisticated, operatic music. Gilbert wished for more humorous music, as in their earlier operas, and the audience booed the mood-setting ghost music in Act II. After several revisions, the opera had a decent run, but nowhere near as successful as the earlier operas of Gilbert and Sullivan.

Act I

Dame Hannah, who was once engaged to Sir Roderic Murgatroyd, reveals the curse of the Baronets of Ruddigore: Sir Rupert Murgatroyd killed a witch, who cursed him and his ancestors to commit one crime a day or die a painful death.

Rose Maybud loves Robin Oakapple, but her inhibitions prevent her from acting on this attraction. Robin himself is too shy to confess his love for her, but they manage to get around the subject by pretending to ask each other for advice for a friend in love.

But Robin has a secret: he is really Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd. He fled to avoid the curse of the Baronets and is believed dead by his brother Sir Despard Murgatroyd. Robin's step-brother Richard arrives and, hearing of Robin's love for Rose, offers to express Robin's love to her. When he sees Rose he falls in love and decides to woo her himself, but Robin manages to win her back.

Mad Margaret appears and threatens Rose for taking Robin away from her. Sir Despard plans to kidnap Rose, but Richard stops him and reveals Robin's true identity. Despard breaks up Rose and Robin's wedding to reveal that Robin is the true heir to Ruddigore, and Robin loses Rose to Richard once more.

Act II

At Ruddigore Castle, Robin and Adam unhappily plan the daily crimes. Rose and Richard ask permission to marry; Robin first attempts to kidnap her, but then reluctantly consents.

Robin asks the portraits of his ancestors to save him. They emerge from their frames and Sir Roderic, dressed as a vampire, reveals that the ghosts are actually enjoying themselves immensely. He orders Robin to kidnap a maiden, and tortures him until he gives in, ordering Adam to kidnap someone for him.

Despard and Margaret arrive to convert Robin to their new religious life. When Despard tells Robin that he must take responsibility for his crimes, Robin resolves to defy the curse and die. (The ensuing trio, "It really doesn't matter," is sometimes included in the second act of The Pirates of Penzance.)

Adam kidnaps Dame Hannah, who challenges Robin to a fight. Robin calls on Sir Roderic, who is then reunited with his old love.

Suddenly Robin realizes the answer: since refusing to commit the crimes will lead to certain death, it is suicide, but suicide is itself a crime; therefore, by refusing to commit a crime he is actually committing a crime. He and Rose are happily reunited.

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