Sullivan, Arthur - The Zoo - Vocal Score

"The Zoo" is a one-act comic opera composed by Arthur Sullivan with a libretto by B. C. Stephenson, who wrote under the pseudonym Bolton Rowe. This charming work premiered on June 5, 1875, at London's St. James's Theatre and later moved to the Haymarket Theatre where it concluded its initial run on July 10, 1875. The opera enjoyed brief revivals later in 1875 and in 1879 but then largely disappeared from the stage until more recent years.

Set within the unique setting of a zoo, the opera narrates the stories of two pairs of lovers with a blend of humor and lighthearted drama. One story arc follows a nobleman who tries to woo a snack vendor at the zoo by extravagantly purchasing all her offerings. Meanwhile, another tale unfolds around a young chemist who mistakenly fears he has poisoned his love interest due to a mix-up involving peppermint intended for her medication.

"The Zoo" is distinctive for its continuous musical narrative, performed without any spoken dialogue, a format it shares with Sullivan’s other shorter operas like "Trial by Jury" and "Cox and Box." The opera lasts about 40 minutes and, despite its initial period of obscurity, has gained a place in modern repertoires, often performed as an opener for other Gilbert and Sullivan operas.

Remarkably, the score of "The Zoo" was not published during Sullivan’s lifetime. The composer's original autograph score remained unknown until it was found and purchased at an auction in 1966, finally bringing this hidden gem to the public’s attention and allowing audiences to experience its quirky and engaging musical journey.