Playwright (Libretto)—The Pirates of Penzance

Previously at the Festival: The Mikado (1977, 1996), The Pirates of Penzance (2001), H.M.S. Pinafore (2006)

Other Operas: A Colossal Ida (1932), Harlequin Cock, Robert the Devil (1868), Randall’s Thumb (1871), Great Expectations (1871), On Guard (1871), Thespis (1871), The Happy Land (1873), The Realm of Joy (1873), Princess Toto (1876), Engaged (1877), The Sorcerer (1877, revised 1884), H.M.S. Pinafore (1878), Gretchen (1879), The Pirates of Penzance (1879), Patience (1881), Iolanthe (1882), Princess Ida (1884), Comedy and Tragedy (1884), The Mikado (1885), Fuddygore (1887), The Yeomen of the Guard (1888), Brantinghame Hall (1888), Haste to the Wedding (1892), Utopia (1894), The Grand (1896), The Fortune-Hunter (1897), Harlequin and the Fairy’s Dilemma (1904), and Fallen Fairies (1911)

Education: Kings College, London

Awards: knighted by Queen Victoria

Background: born in London on November 18, 1836; died May 29, 1911 attempting to save a drowning woman