The Pirates

The Pirates is an opera by composer Stephen Storace with an English libretto by James Cobb. The work was partly adapted from Storace's 1786 opera Gli equivoci and is remarkable as affording one of the earliest instances of the introduction of a grand finale into an English opera. The work premiered at the Haymarket Theatre on November 21, 1792. The opera became a huge success and is considered by many music critics to be Storace's best composition. It was chosen as the starring prima buffa to be performed for King George III at the King's Theatre, London on 16 May 1794. Roles Musical numbers Act I "Overture" – The Orchestra Chorus: "Thanks to the brisk and fav'ring gale" - chorus of sailors and lazzaroni Air: "Of a vile lack of honesty Grumblers complain" - Genariello Air: "Some device my aim to cover" - Altador Duet: "Signor! Signor!" - Fabulina and Altador Air: "Oh! the pretty creature!" - Blazio Air: "Love, like the opening flower" - Aurora Trio: "Past toils thus recompensing" - Guillermo, Aurora, Altador Finale: "Peaceful slumb'ring on the ocean"