Patience (Bunthorne's Bride) by W. S. Gilbert is a delightful and charming comedic opera that explores themes of love, art, and the nature of beauty. The story follows the lovesick poet Bunthorne as he vies for the affections of the village milkmaid, Patience. However, when the dashing dragoon officers arrive on the scene, Bunthorne's plan begins to unravel.

The characters in the opera are eccentric and quirky, adding to the overall humor and fun of the story. The dialogue is witty and clever, with numerous puns and wordplay that will keep readers entertained throughout. The music is also beautiful, with catchy tunes and harmonies that will have you humming along.

One of the central themes of the opera is the idea of aestheticism and the concept of "art for art's sake." This is explored through the character of Bunthorne, who prides himself on being a true aesthete. However, the opera ultimately challenges this notion, showing that true love and beauty can come from unexpected places.

Overall, Patience (Bunthorne's Bride) is a wonderfully entertaining and lighthearted opera that will appeal to fans of comedy, music, and romance. With its witty dialogue, charming characters, and beautiful music, it is sure to delight audiences of all ages.

Book Description:
A comic operetta which is a satire on the themes of fashion and pretension and hero-worship. Bunthorne is a poet who pretends to be highly "idealised" in order to impress the ladies. They all worship him, except for Patience, the dairy maid, who is the only one he loves. However, his grand plan goes awry with the arrival of Grosvenor who is more idealised and more poetical then he is. The ladies all flock after Grosvenor instead, until Bunthorne curses him with poor fashion sense and stoutness! But will the curse bring Bunthorne his Patience?