Pirates of Penzance

The Pirates of Penzance is an opera that was written in England by Gilbert & Sullivan. It premiered in 1879, during Queen Victoria's reign.

Here is a plot summary by Murray Chapman courtesy of www.imdb.com:
"Frederick, son of a wealthy 19th century man was to be apprenticed to a pilot, but due to a hard-of-hearing nursery maid, was instead apprenticed to a pirate. Not just any pirate, but the Pirate King, leader of the not-so-fierce "Pirates of Penzance". But now his indentures are over, Frederick's sense of duty calls him to rid the seas of these rather simple ruffians. Despite their track record, the pirates believe that they have an ace up their collective sleeves."

And as this opera was written during the Victorian era, Queen Victoria is referenced in the script:

"SERG. On your allegiance we've a stronger claim
 We charge you yield, we charge you yield,
  In Queen Victoria's name!
KING.  (baffled)   You do?
POLICE.    We do!
 We charge you yield,
 In Queen Victoria's name!

Pirates kneel, Police stand over them triumphantly.

KING. We yield at once, with humbled mien,
 Because, with all our faults, we love our Queen.
POLICE. Yes, yes, with all their faults, they love their Queen.
ALL. Yes, yes, with all their faults, they love their Queen." *1

kristen

sources:
*1 http://math.boisestate.edu/GaS/pirates/pirates_lib.txt
http://www.theatrehistory.com/british/musical002.html
http://thirdcoastdigest.com/2009/05/pirates-of-penzance/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086112/plotsummary