If You Give Me
Your Attention

by W.S. Gilbert
and Arthur Sullivan

Sample Page
*Arrangement comes printed in a 10"x6" booklet with sturdy paper cover. (shown)

"If You Give Me Your Attention" is the sixth musical number from the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta "Princess Ida". It was originally a solo number performed by King Gama.

The cover (the original poster for "Princess Ida") depicts Hama's three sons, Arac, Guron and Scythuis, as they prepare to storm Castle Adamant.

"Princess Ida" is the eighth of the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. It followed "Iolanthe" and preceded the immensely popular "The Mikado". "Princess Ida"opened on January 5th, 1884 and ran through August 16th, 1884 and then September 15th through October 9th of the same year, for a total of 246 performances. The operetta also opened in New York City on February 11th, 1884, and ran for 48 performances. Gilbert and Sullivan attempted to open their operettas in the United States as quickly as possible to protect the British Copyright. They both learned that "pirated" versions of their earlier operettas had been successful in America and the composer or lyricist received no royalties.

"Princess Ida" is the only Gilbert and Sullivan operetta with three acts as the Prologue is generally considered Act I. Sir Arthur Sullivan conducted the first performance although quite ill, in fact, collapsing after the opening performance.