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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

This was Gilbert and Sullivan's last collaboration. It was classified as a failure, and subsequent amateur revivals failed to succeed where D'Oyly Carte was unable make the grade.

The Grand Duke was produced at the Savoy Theatre under the management of Richard D'oyly Carte on Saturday 7 March 1896. It ran for 123 performances, with Sir Arthur conducting the first night. The opera was not produced in America.

The opera is about a theatrical group in the Grand Duchy of Pfennig Halbpfennig (you can scent the fun intended!) in 1750. They are in dispute with the miserly Grand Duke Rudolph, and manage to get control of the duchy for one night. However, their plans are not altogether successful, and their relief is tangible when Rudolph regains his position.

We have included one tune from the show, which in many ways nostalgically sums up the Gilbert & Sullivan story. So Ends My Dream is sung by Julia Jellicoe, an English comedienne working with the troupe. It occurs in the second act when she appears to have lost her fiancé, and her opportunity to share the ducal throne.

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