What is The Gondoliers?
{{Infobox play | name = The Gondoliers | image = 1907 Gondoliers.jpg | image_size = 220px | image_alt = | caption = ''The Gondoliers'', Act 1 | writer = [[W. S. Gilbert]] (lyrics and book)<br />[[Arthur Sullivan]] (music) | sources = | chorus = | characters = | mute = | setting = Venice and Barataria in the 18th century | premiere = 7 December 1889 | place = Savoy Theatre<br />[[London, England]] | orig_lang = English | series = | subject = Republicanism | genre = [[Operetta]] | web = | playbill = | ibdb_id = | iobdb_id = | theatricalia_id = }} '''''The Gondoliers; or, The King of Barataria''''' is an [[operetta]] in two [[Act (theatre)|acts]] by [[Gilbert and Sullivan]]. It is the twelfth of their fourteen operettas. It was first performed at the Savoy Theatre in [[London]] on 7 December 1889. It ran for 554 performances. It tells of two gondoliers. One appears to be the [[heir]] to the throne of Barataria, but which one? == Origin == After completing ''[[The Yeomen of the Guard]]'', Sullivan wanted to leave light opera for more serious music. Gilbert reminded him that light, humorous operas were the source of their great success. Their manager [[Richard D'Oyly Carte]] promised Sullivan the opportunity to write a [[grand opera]] on the condition that he continue to write the light operas. Sullivan accepted. The grand opera would be ''Ivanhoe''.<ref>Brahms, pp. 189-193</ref> == Composition == Gilbert proposed a Venetian setting for the new light opera. Sullivan would have the chance to write bright, colorful music. Sullivan went to Venice to soak up the atmosphere. Once back in England, he received the lyrics to the new opera as Gilbert completed them. Sullivan however puttered at them. He was distracted with plans for the grand opera. He devoted the fall of 1889 however to ''The Gondoliers''. Sullivan labored at the light opera and completed it by December 2. The curtain went up on ''The Gondoliers'' on December 7 before a brilli