from Act I of the English opera
H.M.S. Pinafore by Arthur Sullivan
Libretto: W.S. Gilbert
Role: Ralph Rackstraw, a sailor on the Pinafore, in love with Josephine
Voice Part: tenor Fach: lyric tenor
Setting: quarterdeck of the H.M.S. Pinafore, anchored off Portsmouth, England, late 1800's
Synopsis: Ralph is in love with the Captain's daughter. He realizes, though, that he will never be able to have her because her social class is much higher than his. He describes her good qualities eloquently and then continues by declaring the reasons why he will never be able to have her.