by Alison Bowler

Created on: November 07, 2009   Last Updated: November 27, 2009

Princess Ida or Castle Adamant, the eighth comic opera written by librettist W. S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan, is their only three act opera. First performed at the Savoy Theatre on 5 January 1884, it was their seventh collaboration written for entrepreneur Richard D'Oyly Carte. Based on the poem "The Princess" by Sir Arthur Tennyson its poetic roots are reflected in the dialogue being in blank verse. Gilbert had written a musical farce based on the poem in 1870 and he lifted much of the libretto from his earlier play.

Cast of Characters

King Hildebrand (bass-baritone)
Hilarion, King Hildebrand's Son (tenor)
Cyril, Hilarion's Friend (tenor)
Florian, Hilarion's Friend (baritone)
King Gama (baritone)
Arac, King Gama's Son (bass-baritone)
Guron, King Gama's Son (bass-baritone)
Scynthius, King Gama's Son (bass)
Princess Ida, King Gama's Daughter (soprano)
Lady Blanche, Professor of Abstract Science (contralto)
Lady Psyche, Professor of Humanities (soprano)
Melissa, Lady Blanche's Daughter (mezzo-soprano)
Sacharissa, Girl Graduate (soprano)
Chloe, Girl Graduate (speaking role/chorus)
Ada, Girl Graduate (speaking role/chorus)
Chorus of Soldiers, Courtiers, Girl Graduates, Daughters of the Plough, etc

Act One

The first act takes place in a pavilion at King Hildebrand's Palace. The King and his court are awaiting the arrival of King Gama with his daughter Princess Ida who was betrothed to Hilarion as a baby twenty years earlier.

There is some doubt that Ida will honor the betrothal treaty. The princess is said to have locked herself away with several other women in a forming a female only university and community.

When Gama arrives instead of Ida, he has with him his three warrior sons. King Gama is an objectionable man his body crooked and his tongue sharp. Described by Hildebrand as,

"A twisted monster - all awry -
As though Dame Nature, angry with her work,
Had crumpled it in fitful petulance!"

Gama confirms the rumor of his daughter locking herself away with one hundred women in Castle Adamant. He tells them that even male animals are not allowed within the castle, the morning cockcrow carried out by an accomplished hen.

Hilarion with his two friends Florian and Cyril resolve to retrieve the princess from her university. To ensure the safety of his son and the two courtiers Hildebrand takes Gama and his sons into custody as hostages.

Act Two

This act takes place in the garden of Castle Adamant. It opens with Lady Psyche giving a lecture to the students. Lady Blanche enters

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