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Contact the Young Vic Brian Goodman, General Manager brian@yvtc.org J. Ernest Green, Music Director ernie@yvtc.org James Harp, Stage Director jharp@yvtc.org jharp@yvtc.org The Plot Glossary of Terms For ticket information call 410-323-3077 |
William Schwenck Gilbert and Arthur Seymour Sullivan first collaborated on a production called Thespis, in 1871. No notoriety came from this initial pairing, but twenty-five years and thirteen comic operas later, Gilbert and Sullivan had accomplished the one of the greatest advancements in musical nature in the nineteenth century. Sullivan's compositions practically revived the art form of the melody while Gilbert's wit poked fun at the very core of Victorian society. Light opera, or operetta, practically defined the next century of musicals so often known as Broadway or Show Tunes today.
Gilbert started his career as a barrister, then began writing humorous verse and dramatic criticism, some of which was accompanied by cartoons and sketches signed "Bab." These he submitted to the then popular British magazine Fun. A collection of these "Bab Ballads" was published in 1869. He was also a successful playwright. Sullivan came from a musical family. He worked as a professor of music and an organist, as well as a composer. In addition to composing "Onward Christian Soldiers," as well as other major choral works, he also wrote a grand opera, Ivanhoe. Each man had his fortune on his own. But it was Gilbert's and Sullivan's combined genius that brought them everlasting fame. The following is a list of their operettas, in alphabetical order, followed by the date of their debut.
Sources: http://members.tripod.com/~GOPcapitalist/gilbertandsullivan.html and The Savoy Company (Philadelphia) |
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