Another of the favorite comic operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan is THE GONDOLIERS, OR, THE KING OF BARATARIA. Unlike most of their works, which were set in England and which poked gentle fun at Victorian customs and institutions, THE GONDOLIERS has an Italian background. But the tone is the same, light and humorous throughout. It was the last truly successful operetta on which Gilbert and Sullivan collaborated before the famous break in their personal and business relationship.