The Sorcerer's Apprentice him in his youth. It is, indeed, the oldest known variation of this tale type. While the similarities are so great as to make it obvious that Lucian was Goethe's inspiration, there are several minor differences: Similar themes (such as the power of magic or technology turning against the insufficiently wise person invoking it) are found in many traditions and works of art: Following Goethe's poem and Dukas' symphonic piece and the film "Fantasia", the term "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" has had numerous iterations as the title of various media pieces. These include several novels and nonfiction books, including novels by
The Sorcerer Gilbert was completing "Engaged", a "farcical comedy", which opened on 3 October 1877. He also was sorting out the problems with "The Ne'er-do-Weel", a piece he wrote for Edward Sothern. Meanwhile, Sullivan was writing the incidental music to "Henry VIII"; only after its premiere on 28 August did he begin working on "The Sorcerer". The opening was originally scheduled for 1 November 1877; however, the first rehearsals took place on 27 October, and the part of J. W. Wells was filled only by that time. "The Sorcerer" finally opened at Opera Comique on 17 November 1877. The villagers of Ploverleigh