The Pirates of Penzance

A hilarious farce of sentimental pirates, bumbling policemen, dim-witted young lovers and an eccentric Major-General.

Set sail with this classic comedy that boasts one of the most famous patter songs in musical theatre history. A fresh take on one of Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular comic operas, this updated version of The Pirates of Penzance took New York by storm when it premiered in Central Park in 1980, leading to a subsequent smash-hit Broadway run.

Gilbert and Sullivan's hilarious, hopeful farce follows young Frederic, an orphan who has mistakenly been apprenticed to an ineffectual but raucous band of pirates. He disavows the pirates' way of life and falls for the beautiful Mabel. Frederic's melodious tones win over the heart of Major-General Stanley's songbird daughter, Mabel, but when the Pirate King discovers that General Stanley has lied about being an orphan to keep the pirates from stealing all of his belongings and carrying off his bevy of beautiful daughters, an "ingenious paradox" may prevent the budding romance and lead to the death of "The very model of a modern Major-General."

The beauty, wit and whimsy of Gilbert and Sullivan's classic score is suffused with a modern sensibility, making this version an excellent choice for opera and light opera companies looking to expand their audience base. The sheer number of memorable roles makes it perfect for community and school groups. And with production requirements consisting of only two sets and a medium-sized orchestra, The Pirates of Penzance should be considered by any company featuring comic actors with excellent singing voices.

Full Synopsis Materials and Orchestration

Concert Selections for The Pirates of Penzance

Concert Selections are original Broadway orchestrations and exciting new symphonic arrangements of select songs for use in concert performances. Concert Selections are the perfect way to give audiences a taste of the musical theatre experience without the sets, props and costumes.

Pricing

Pricing is for individual songs only.

Pricing for Orchestral Suites and other items can be provided on receipt of your Application Form.

Amateur

A$99.50 for 1st five minutes (Base Hire rate)

A$19.00 per minute thereafter (to a maximum of 40 minutes for Small Rights works)

The minimum Base Hire period is 2 months which is calculated from the date required to the first performance date.

Extra months are charged at 25% of the hire fee per month or part thereof.

A 50% discount of the Base Hire fee is available for 2^nd and subsequent performances provided the fee is not less than the Base Hire rate (amateur only).

If your order requires immediate processing, a A$44.00 Priority Fee per work is applicable.

Professional

We will provide a quote once we receive your Application Form.

MODERN MAJOR GENERAL

From
The Pirates of Penzance

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan

Lyrics by
Sir William Schwenck Gilbert

Orchestrated by
William Elliott

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Starting Key
E♭
Estimated duration
5 min 55 sec
Instrumentation
(12x) KEYBOARD 1/CONDUCTOR SCORE (Keyboard 1 plays PIANO), (2x) REED 1 (Piccolo, Flute - 2 players minimum), (1x) REED 2A (Clarinet), (1x) REED 2B (Clarinet), (1x) REED 3 (Bassoon), (2x) TRUMPETS 1 & 2, (1x) TROMBONE, (1x) KEYBOARD 2 INFORMATION SHEET, (1x) KEYBOARD 2 (Crumer), (1x) PERCUSSION 1 (Xylophone), (1x) PERCUSSION 2 (Timpani), (1x) PERCUSSION 3 (Drum Set), (3x) BASS 1 (Acoustic), (3x) BASS 2 (Acoustic)

Request License
OVERTURE (FROM "THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE")

From
The Pirates of Penzance

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
SIR ARTHUR SEYMOUR SULLIVAN

Arranged by
WILLIAM ELLIOTT

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Starting Key
D♭
Instrumentation
1 Reed 1, 1 Red 2a, 1 Reed 2b, 1 Reed 3, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trombone, 1 Bass 1, 1 Percusion 1, 1 Percussion 2, 1 Percussion 3, 1 Keyboard 1/Conductor, 1 Keyboard 2

Request License
POOR WANDERING ONE

From
The Pirates of Penzance

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Arthur Sullivan

Lyrics by
W.S. Gilbert

Arranged by
William Elliott

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Instrumentation

2 Keyboard 1/Conductor Score, 15 Vocal Books, 2 Reed 1 (Flute 1 & Flute 2), 1 Reed 2A (Clarinet), 1 Reed 2B (Clarinet), 1 Reed 3 (Bassoon), 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trombone, 1 Keyboard 2 (Celeste), 1 Percusion 1 (Vibraphone), 3 Percussion 2 (Suspended Cymbal, Timpani, Bell Tree, Mark Tree), 3 Percussion 3 (Drum Set, Suspended Cymbal, Mark Tree, Bell Tree), 1 Bass 1: Electric (Fender), 1 Bass 2: Acoustic

Request License
WITH CAT-LIKE TREAD

From
The Pirates of Penzance

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
SULLIVAN, ARTHUR

Lyrics by
GILBERT, WILLIAM

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Starting Key
D

Estimated duration
2 min 30 sec
Instrumentation

1 Bass 1 (acoustic), 1 Bass 2 (Fender), 2 Keyboard 1/Conductor(Piano) 1 Keyboard 2 (RMI/Celeste), 1 Reed 1 (Flute & Piccolo), 1 Reed 2A (Clarinet), 1 Reed 2B (Clarinet), 1 Reed 3 (Bassoon), 2 Trumpets 1&2, 1 Trombone, 1 Percussion 1, 1 Percussion 2, 1 Percussion 3, 25 Chorus Books

Request License