We
Leave You With Feelings of Pleasure !
We
Are Warriors Three . . .!
Still
composing,
and still pursuing his amorous adventures, Sir Arthur Sullivan never recovered from his illness. One bitter cold
Winter's day he went out, caught a chill tending his mother's grave, and on St
Cecilia's Day 1900, died from pneumonia at the age of 58.
In
the Coming By-And-By . . .!
Richard
D'Oyly Carte, also very ill, and distraught over his friend Sullivan's death,
died within a few weeks, aged 56.
With
Nothing Whatever To Grumble At . . .!
Still
writing, Gilbert 'retired' to 'Grim's Dyke', a country house near Uxbridge, with
lots of grounds and animals. He was one of the first to own a motor car - an
American steam Locomobile. He was also one of the first to have a motor accident
- he knocked a parson off his bicycle! He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant, and
Magistrate in the county of Middlesex (and a good judge too!), jobs he took very
seriously (to let the punishment fit the crime!); and in 1907, aged 71, he was
knighted by King Edward VII
They
got him on the list . . .!
ne
Summer's day Sir W S Gilbert was swimming in his private pool when a guest got
into difficulties. He rapidly swam to help, had a massive heart attack and died,
aged 75.
Our
Revels Now Are Ended . . .!
But
this, as we all know, was not the end.
Arthur's work was taken up by Edward German who went on to be his successor in
other ways. The shows have been revived time and time
again, through Helen, Rupert and Bridget D'Oyly Carte; and various professional
companies. One major G&S enthusiast, Sir Malcolm Sargent, as their guest
conductor, particularly in the 1950s, gave massive support to their revival
after the second world war. There are videos, records, discs and tapes of the
shows and selections. Throughout their existence they have been played all over
the world by amateur companies, to whom they mainly owe their popularity today.
The operas of these three men have given countless hours of pleasure to millions
of of people. More than 50per cent of Sullivan's music is no longer available in
print1. Perhaps this site will encourage people to cherish what there is, and
discover the wonders of this musical genius, his librettist W S Gilbert and his
far-sighted manager Richard D'Oyly Carte.
Is
Life a Boon . . .!
In
this Website we have merely scratched the surface of a rich seam. The last word
we leave to Jack Point in The Yeoman of the Guard, who says: "For look you,
there is humour in all things, and the truest philosophy is that which teaches
us to find it and to make the most of it." . . .
Would
you like to visit some Close
Connections?
1. Footnote: See Rees
& Spencer in our MusicSmiles
bibliography for further information. Return
to story.
If you would like to identify
the quotes we have used in our story - click G&S
Quotes
Foot-footnote:
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