The music of The Sorcerer is unusually rich for an early work. Starting with then lively opening chorus, approaching a double chorus in complexity with a rich orchestral accompaniment, there are any number of marvelous numbers throughout this relatively short opera.
Sullivan (and Gilbert) took the opportunity to spoof the signing of the marriage contract in Rossini's Barber of Seville in the signing of the marriage contract scene ("All is prepared"). And the Incantation scene intentionally spoofs the incantation scene in Weber's Der Freschutz.
Sullivan introduces the first of many double choruses throughout the canon in his reprise of "With heart and voice," following "All is prepared." He also gets several digs in at operatic conventions, such as when he has Alexis sing a short recitative "I thank you from the bottom of my heart," with "bottom" on the very top note of the phrase.
They manage to spoof Victorian morals and customers in the rousing "Eat drink and be gay" in the first act finale. It is in the form of a Brindisi, or Italian drinking song, even though all of the villagers are drinking only tea.
Numbers that were praised particularly by opening night reviewers and encored, were Wells' impossible patter song "My name is John Wellington Wells," the "perfect little" quintet, "I rejoice that it's decided," and Wells and Sangzure's rapid-fire duet "O agony rage despair." The Marmaduke-Sangazure first act duet "Welcome joy," with its stately minuet alternating with rapid-fire patter representing their subconscious thoughts was also very popular.
Finally, the first act finale is simple a marvel of construction, starting with "Now to the mansion we press," going on to the Brindisi and ending with "O marvelous illusion," where the chorus provides a percussive accompaniment to the soaring vocal lines carried by the principals.