description Arthur Sullivan Overview
Arthur Sullivan was a prominent English composer primarily recognized for his operettas alongside W.S. Gilbert. His extensive body of work includes both lighthearted comic operas and significant sacred choral pieces. He is particularly notable within the Romantic period’s musical landscape and remains influential for composers and performers interested in Victorian-era British music, specifically operatic traditions and choral works.
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Arthur Sullivan ranks #68 of 338 in the Composer ranking, behind Anton Webern, ahead of Krzysztof Penderecki.
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Who was Arthur Sullivan's famous theatrical collaborator?
Arthur Sullivan collaborated with the dramatist and librettist W. S. Gilbert on fourteen popular comic operas. Together, they formed the famous Victorian-era partnership universally known as Gilbert and Sullivan.
What is Arthur Sullivan's most famous comic opera?
Sullivan and Gilbert's most enduring and frequently performed comic opera is *The Mikado*, which premiered at the Savoy Theatre in 1885. Other massive hits from the duo include *H.M.S. Pinafore* and *The Pirates of Penzance*.
Did Arthur Sullivan write any famous religious music?
Yes, Sullivan composed highly acclaimed sacred choral music, most notably the hymn tune "Onward, Christian Soldiers." He also wrote the *Golden Legend*, a dramatic cantata that was wildly popular during the Romantic era.
What opera house was built specifically to showcase Gilbert and Sullivan's works?
The Richard D'Oyly Carte Opera Company built the Savoy Theatre in London in 1881 to exclusively stage Gilbert and Sullivan's operas. The Savoy was famously the first public building in the world to be completely illuminated by electric lighting.
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