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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

Ivanhoe was Sir Arthur Sullivan's one and only 'Grand Opera'. Composed during the period of the 'carpet quarrel' and The Gondoliers, the libretto was written by Julian Sturgis.

Its first performance was at The Royal English Opera, on 31 January 1891. The idea of a serious opera was suggested to Arthur by no less a person than Queen Victoria herself. Based on the very successful novel, 'Ivanhoe' by the Scottish author Sir Walter Scott¹ (1771-1832), its premier performance in 1891 was at the new Opera House, built specially by Richard D'Oyly Carte for the venture. It received enormous critical acclaim, and many of the solo numbers became very popular as concert or drawing room ballads, selling large numbers of sheet music copies.

The action of the opera follows the Ivanhoe novel of Sir Walter. Set in early Norman England the novel tracks the exploits of the young Saxon, Wilfred of Ivanhoe. He was banished by his father for daring to look favourably on the the Saxon Lady Rowena, whom the father wanted for another 'arranged' marriage. Back from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Ivanhoe arrives in disguise and goes unrecognised by everyone. In the story he takes part in two great English actions with his friend and lord, King Richard I (Coeur de Lion)², and Robin of Locksley (Robin Hood) - the grand tournament at Ashby-de-la-Zouche, and the siege of Sir Reginald Front-de-Boeuf's Norman castle at Torqilstone. Sir Walter's novel is a superb tale of derring-do and is certainly worth borrowing or purchasing. 

At first it looked as though Arthur and Richard had another runaway success on their hands (160 performances for a serious opera was something of a record in those days). But unfortunately, commercially it came to nought, and the disillusioned Arthur and his supporter Richard did not pursue the matter further. It has rarely been revived since, but thankfully the music refuses to die!

We have chosen two of the popular musical numbers from this opera. The wonderful, and still fashionable Friar's song - Ho, Jolly Jenkin. And the beautiful, and impressive Rebecca's Prayer. 

The imagery of both novel and songs must induce a desire to write, draw, or compose! Feel free, we'd love to hear from you . . .

1.    Footnote: Sir Walter Scott was born in College Wynd, Edinburgh, son of a solicitor. Educated at Edinburgh High School and Edinburgh University he followed in father's footsteps. Throughout his life he was a Borders man. Eventually money worries broke his health. In spite of this he worked furiously to pay off all the family debts, and produced some of the finest literature of his time. Among his great works were: Waverly (1814), Guy Mannering (1815), The Antiquary (1816), Rob Roy (1817), The Heart of Midlothian (1818), Ivanhoe (1819), Kenilworth (1821),  The Fortunes of Nigel (1822), Quentin Durward (1823), Redgauntlet (1824), The Talisman (1825), and Woodstock (1826), and of course many others. He is widely recognised as the establisher of the historical novel.

2.    Footnote: This was a period in English history when King Richard's brother, John found support among the lawless and dissolute Norman nobles for his plan to depose Richard. A couple of points of local interest here: (i) Robin Hood was reputed to lead his band in Sherwood Forest - not too far from Market Town. and (ii) When brother John finally became King John, he was alleged to have staggered from the Wash to Market Town castle, where he died of his injuries. (He was taken from there to Worcester for burial.

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