Ruddigore was the ninth of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, premiering in January of 1887. It had a respectable and profitable run of 288 performances, but coming after the Mikado's run of 678 performances, it seemed to some to be less successful.
When Gilbert and Sullivan were writing their operas, they had neither previews nor out of town tryouts. The first performance was the first performance! And, if some things went wrong, they were fixed. In the case of Ruddigore, the mechanics of the ghost scene bedeviled the Savoy theater, as it has tried the imagination of technical directors ever since. In addition, the show ran rather long, and some cuts were soon instituted. Nonetheless, despite its eventual success, it had the reputation of being a "problem show," and was not revived by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company until 1920.
In 1920, the producers and music director realized what a fine piece Ruddigore actually was, but in reviving it, made more musical and dialog cuts. (See The Music of Ruddigore)
Centuries before, Sir Rupert Murgatroyd, the Baronet of Ruddigore entertained himslef by persecuting witches. While one witch was being tortured, she cursed him and the whole line of baronets to commit a crime each day or perish in agony.
As the story opens in the Cornish fishing village of Rederring, we find a permanent endowed chorus of bridesmaids singing about when they will again have a wedding at which to preside, since every lad in the village loves Rose Maybud, and until she chooses someone, the others will not marry anyone else. Rose is a foundling raised by Dame Hannah and devoted to the book of etiquette that was left with her when she was adopted. Dame Hannah explains the curse of Ruddigore to the bridesmaids. Young, bashful Robin Oakapple hints indirectly that he might be interested in Rose, but they are both too shy to declare their love. Robin's faithful manservant, Old Adam reveals that Robin is actually Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd in hiding, so that he will not have to assume the title of Baronet of Ruddigore, which is held in his absence by his younger brother, Sir Despard Murgatroyd. Robin's foster brother, Richard Dauntless returns from sea and sings a jingoistic song explaining how he and his crew nearly thwarted a huge French frigate, but let them go because they were sissified Frenchmen.
Mad Margaret enters, singing a song of stage madness, but explaining that she is only mad because she loves the terrible Sir Despard, the Bad Baronet of Ruddigore. The chorus of Bucks and Blades enter, primarily to provide a lovely double chorus. Sir Despard, the mustachioed villain enters, explaining why he is so bad. Dauntless, seeing an opportunity to woo Rose, tells Despard that his older brother still lives. In the Act I finale, Robin and Rose enter to be married, but Despard reveals that Robin should be the Bad Baronet. Robin rushes off in anguish. Rose offers to marry Despard instead, but he claims that now that he is good, he will keep his pledge to Margaret. Seeing that only Richard is left, Rose offers to marry him instead. The Act ends with a country dance.
In Act II, Robin is now the bad baronet, and he and Old Adam inhabit Ruddigore Castle. Richard and Rose enter indicating their plan to marry. Robin yields her to him with some remorse. The scene darkens and the ancestors descend from the picture gallery to threaten Robin for not carrying out his require crime each day. After threats of agony if he does not concur, Robin agrees to carry off a lady. The ancestors recede, and Old Adam hurries to carry off a lady.Adam returns with Dame Hannah, whom he secretly has always admired, but who is hardly a shrinking violet. When she threatens Robin and Adam with a dagger, Robin calls for help, and his late uncle Sir Roderic again appears. Discovering that Adam has carried off his old love Hannah, Roderic sends Robin away in disgust while he and Hannah reminisce. Robin suddenly realizes that since not committing a crime is tantamount to suicide, and that since suicide itself is a crime, the curse is inoperative, and that Roderic ought never to have died. All revert to their original partners, and the opera ends happily.