William S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan began working together in 1871, writing in all fourteen (14) comic operas. The caustic wit and sarcasm which Gilbert had shown since an early age can be seen in his libretti which together with the memorable music of Sullivan created one of the most famous partnerships in musical history.
W. S. Gilbert was educated as, and began a career as, a barrister although this career was short lived. He was knighted for his work as a playwright in 1907, and died in 1911, seventy four years of age (74), while attempting to save a drowning woman.
Arthur Sullivan was born into a musical family and at the age of eight he had composed his own anthem. By the age of ten the young Arthur had mastered all of the wind instruments in his father's military band. Sullivan's first comic opera was written in 1867 with another librettist. In 1883 he was knighted and died in 1900 from kidney stones. |
