Walter Passmore as King Ouf I and Sydney Paxton as Siroco

Gilbert and Sullivan Archive The Lucky Star A Comic Opera in Three Acts. based on L'Étoile, written by Eugène Leterrier and Albert Vanloo (additional material by Paul Verlaine) and music by Alexis-Emmanuel Chabrier, and The Merry Monarch, an American translation by Cheever Goodwin with music by Woolson Morse. English lyrics by Adrian Ross and Aubrey Hopwood. English dialogue by Charles H.E. Brookfield. revised and assembled by H.L. (= Helen Lenoir [Helen D'Oyly Carte]). music by Ivan Caryll. January 7 - May 31, 1899 (143 performances).

The superstitious King Ouf is informed by his astrologer Siroco that his destiny is linked with that of an itinerant painter named Lazuli, who is in love with the King's intended bride, the Princess Laoula. Siroco's charts reveal that Lazuli's death will result in the King's, and when the King decrees that Siroco will be executed moments after the King's death, both feel obliged to keep Lazuli alive.

This is the only Savoy opera where a woman is required to play a man's part. Lazuli was played by Emmie Owen, who had created (among other characters) Jacqueline in The Beauty Stone, a part which required her to spend the bulk of her time disguised as a boy. She also was featured prominently in Utopia Limited, The Chieftain, The Grand Duke, and The Rose of Persia.

• Introduction, by Clifton Coles

• Libretto, submitted to the Archive by Clifton Coles.
  • Word (260K file)
  • Text (46K File)

• Notes on the Libretto by Clifton Coles

• Opening Night Cast

• Programme from the production 28 March 1899

• Opening night review from the London Times, published January 9, 1899.

• Illustrated Music Cover

• MIDI Files, sequenced by Clifton Coles
• Introduction, 4 min. 41 seconds


• No. 1, Night is Done, 3 min. 2 seconds, sung by Chorus


• No. 8, Lolling in Sinuous Feminie Fashion, 1 min. 49 seconds, sung by Oasis, Asphodel, and Girls


• No. 10, Dance, 3 min. 20 seconds


• No. 15, Together, Darling, We Roam, 2 min. 40 seconds, sung by King, Lazuli, and Laoula


• No. 18, The Ivory Gate, 3 min. 8 seconds, sung by Tapioca

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Page updated 6 February 2012