the Ancestors' reincarnation. A technological solution was found: Sullivan used a glass tube baton containing a platinum wire that glowed a dull red. The opera encountered some criticism from audiences at its opening on 22 January 1887, and one critic wondered if the libretto showed "signs of the failing powers of the author". After a run shorter than any of the earlier Gilbert and Sullivan operas premiered at the Savoy except Princess Ida, Ruddigore closed in November 1887 to make way for a revival of H.M.S. Pinafore. To allow the revival of the earlier work to be prepared at the Savoy, the last two performances of Ruddigore were given at the Crystal Palace, on 8 and 9 November. It was not revived in the lifetimes of the composer or author. Roles Mortals Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd Disguised as Robin Oakapple, a Young Farmer (comic baritone) Richard Dauntless His Foster-Brother – A Man-o'-war's-man (tenor) Sir Despard Murgatroyd of Ruddigore, A Wicked Baronet (bass-baritone or baritone) Old Adam Goodheart Robin's Faithful Servant (bass) Rose Maybud A Village Maiden (soprano) Mad Margaret (mezzo-soprano) Dame Hannah Rose's Aunt (contralto) Zorah Professional Bridesmaid (soprano) Ruth Professional Bridesmaid (speaking/chorus) Chorus of Professional Bridesmaids, Villagers, Bucks and Blades Ghosts Sir Rupert Murgatroyd The First Baronet Sir Jasper Murgatroyd The Third Baronet Sir Lionel Murgatroyd The Sixth Baronet Sir Conrad Murgatroyd The Twelfth Baronet Sir Desmond Murgatroyd The Sixteenth Baronet Sir Gilbert Murgatroyd The Eighteenth Baronet Sir Mervyn Murgatroyd The Twentieth Baronet Sir Roderic Murgatroyd The Twenty-first Baronet (bass-baritone) Chorus of Ancestors Synopsis Act I In the town of Rederring, in Cornwall, a chorus of professional bridesmaids frets that there have been no weddings for the last six months. All of the eligible young men are hopeful of a union with Rose Maybud, the prettiest maiden in the village, yet they are too timid to approach her. The desperate bridesmaids ask Rose's aunt, Dame Hannah, if she would consider marrying, but she has vowed to remain eternally single. Many years previously, she had been betrothed to "a god-like youth" who turned out to be Sir Roderic Murgatroyd, one of the bad baronets of Ruddigore. Only on her wedding day had she discovered his true identity. Dame Hannah tells the bridesmaids about the curse of Ruddigore. Centuries ago, Sir Rupert Murgatroyd, the first Baronet of Ruddigore, had persecuted witches. One of his victims, as she was burnt at the stake,