The Mikado

A year before the action begins, Nanki-Poo, son of the Mikado of Japan, fled his father's imperial court to escape marriage with Katisha, an elderly lady. Disguised as a traveling musician, he met and fell in love with Yum-Yum, the young ward of Ko-Ko, a cheap tailor in the town of Titipu. Yum-Yum, however, was already betrothed to her guardian, and Nanki-Poo left Titipu in despair. As Act I opens, the gentlemen of Titipu gather ("If you want to know who we are"). Nanki-Poo arrives and introduces himself ("A wand'ring minstrel I").