This month we welcomed James Stebbings to talk to us about the Topsy-Turvy world of Gilbert and Sullivan, their comic operas and their successful if at sometimes fraught relationship with Richard D'Oyly Carte.
We learnt that they collaborated on fourteen Comic Operas many of which continue to be be performed by amateur societies around the world and James felt sure if he had been with us in person we would have several members who could join in with the chorus from the Pirates of Penzance or H.M.S. Pinafore!
I was surprised to discover that Arthur Sullivan was such a prolific composer, I thought the operas were his main contribution but it seems that he composed many Choral and Orchestral works and quite a few hymns including "Onward Christian Soldiers".
Likewise W.S. Gilbert also wrote many other plays and operas. In later years he financed the building of the Garrick Theatre in Charing Cross Road as his association with Arthur Sullivan and D'Oyly Carte in the Savoy Theatre was the cause of the breakdown of their relationship.
Many thanks to James for an entertaining and informative talk, I shall continue to enjoy Gilbert and Sullivan with Side Show Bob on The Simpsons!
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