10 Interesting Gilbert and Sullivan Facts

Thursday, February 20th 2014. | People


It will be fun to find out about the Victorian era theatrical partnership by reading the full Gilbert and Sullivan facts. The partnership was occurred between the composer Arthur Sullivan and W.S. Gilbert. Find out more about their collaboration below:

Gilbert and Sullivan Facts 1: collaboration

Gilbert and Sullivan had collaborated from 1871 to 1896 in 14 comic operas. Arthur Sullivan was a composer, while W.S Gilbert was a librettist.

Gilbert and Sullivan Facts 2: the best known operas

The works of Gilbert and Sullivan are very appreciated until today. Some of their interested operas include the Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance and H.M.S. Pinafore.

Gilbert and Sullivan Characters

Gilbert and Sullivan Characters

Gilbert and Sullivan Facts 3: Sullivan

Arthur Sullivan was the composer of the operas.  His job was to create the memorable melodies and composed the music for these operas.  Therefore, you can enjoy comedy and humor on the operas on stage.

Gilbert and Sullivan Facts 4: theater

The works of Gilbert and Sullivan are highly appreciated by the critics and audiences until this present day.  There are many English speaking countries which still performed their operas. There is no need to wonder if both were very important to the musical world in 20th century.

Gilbert and Sullivan facts

Gilbert and Sullivan facts

Gilbert and Sullivan Facts 5: influence

The popularity of Gilbert and Sullivan is big enough to make their operas influenced in many spheres of entertainment industries. The television program, literature and film were affected by their works.

Gilbert and Sullivan Facts 6: Gilbert

Let’s talk about Gilbert first. He was born on November 18th, 1836 in London.  When he was young, Gilbert wanted to gain money by making poems, illustrated stores and articles.

Gilbert and Sullivan Movie

Gilbert and Sullivan Movie

Gilbert and Sullivan Facts 7: Bab Ballads

Bab Ballads is one of Gilbert’s influential works.  This ballad was very popular because of the humor. Other works of Gilbert include the Princess, Our Island Home, A Sensation Novel, and The Palace of Truth.

Gilbert and Sullivan Facts 8: Sullivan

Now let’s talk a bit about Arthur Sullivan. He was born on May 13th 1842 in London. When he was only 8 years old, he was able to play all kinds of band instruments. His father was a military band master.

Gilbert and Sullivan on Stage

Gilbert and Sullivan on Stage

Gilbert and Sullivan Facts 9: Royal Academy of Music

Sullivan was an experienced composer and musician. He was educated at Royal Academy of Music. He also studied about conducting when he was at Leipzig.

Gilbert and Sullivan Facts 10: a good composer

He was considered as promising composer.   Many of his symphonies were played in the Crystal Palace.

Gilbert and Sullivan Operas

Gilbert and Sullivan Operas

Some of Sullivan works include On Shore and Sea, The Masque at Kenilworth, L’Île Enchantée and The Prodigal Son. Are you amazed with facts about Gilbert and Sullivan?


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