Gilbert apparently got the idea for "The Gondoliers" from a book on Venice in the 15th century which made much of the country's strong republicanism.Gilbert saw that a satire on republicanism ideas would have an appeal to a contempary audience (an 1889 one that is).At the time more than 50 Republican Clubs had been established in the previous 20 years. Ant-monarchy and pro-egalitarian principles were being vociferously championed.

The Gondoliers is musically pan-European with music borrowed from France - the stately gavotte; from Spain - the Andalusian cachucha; from Italy - the saltarello and the tarantella; and from Venice itself - the Venetian barcarolle.