31 May-7 June 2003. Described by its authors as a Comic Opera, The Mikado by Gilbert (libretto) and Sullivan (score) is without doubt the most successful work by the famous pair, both musically and in terms of the narrative. The music combines elements of Italian music and popular English song with balance and sensitivity, while the text, though mindful of social satire, recreates a Japanese atmosphere that is exotic, fantastic and at the same time realistic. The operetta was first staged in London in 1885 to immediate acclaim; in the next two years alone it was performed 9,000 times across Europe. The Venice production boasts an expert cast directed by Jonathan Miller and comes from the English National Opera in London, where it was staged in 2001.