The Pirates of Penzance or The Slave of Duty is a comedic opera written by William S. Gilbert and composed by Arthur Sullivan. Originally premiering in 1879, the story follows the tale of Frederic, a young man who was mistakenly apprenticed to a band of pirates as a child. On his 21st birthday, he is released from his apprenticeship and vows to bring an end to piracy. Along the way, he falls in love with Mabel, the daughter of a Major-General, but complications arise when it is revealed that Frederic's apprenticeship was not legally binding due to a technicality, and he must return to the pirates. The opera features catchy musical numbers and witty lyrics, satirizing the Victorian era's social customs and institutions. The Pirates of Penzance has become a beloved classic of the operatic genre, and its enduring popularity is a testament to Gilbert and Sullivan's enduring legacy.THIS 26 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: The Works of Sir William Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan, by William S. Gilbert. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 1419159534.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.