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The Zodiac Killer referenced light opera in his letters to the police and press. Specifically, his quotes nad misquotes were taken from "The Mikado, a comic opera (also known as "The Town of Titipu." The music was written by Arthur Sullivan and the libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It first opened in London's Savoy theater in 1885. The opera was set in Japan, though it largely parodied the British politics of the era.
Source: Wikipedia
The Zodiac killer may have identified, on some level, with Ko-Ko, a character in The Mikado known as the Lord high Executioner.
The Zodiac Killer used lines from The Mikado in the following letters:
The "Torture Letters," parts one and two, from July 26, 1970.
The "Excorcist Letter" of January 29, 1974.
The Story of the Mikado as told by Sir W.S. Gilbert
The Mikado, or the Town of Tipitu
The Zodiac also seemed to be inspired by a Richard Connell short story called The Most Dangerous Game.
