description Thespis Overview
Thespis is an operetta with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert, marking the first collaboration between the two composers. It premiered at London's Gaiety Theatre in 1871, telling a comedic mythological story about a troupe of actors replacing the gods on Mount Olympus.
Unlike their later, highly successful Savoy Operas, the full musical score of Thespis was not preserved and is largely lost to history. Today, the work is primarily known through surviving scripts and a few surviving musical numbers.
help Thespis FAQ
What is Thespis by Gilbert and Sullivan?
Thespis is an operetta with music by Arthur Sullivan and a libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It was their first theatrical collaboration and premiered at London's Gaiety Theatre in 1871.
What is the plot of Thespis?
The story follows a troupe of actors led by Thespis who take the place of the Greek gods while the gods temporarily leave Mount Olympus. The resulting comedy comes from ordinary performers trying to manage divine responsibilities.
Is the music for Thespis by Arthur Sullivan still complete?
No complete original score of Thespis is known to survive. Most of Sullivan's music is lost, although a surviving song and later reconstructions have helped keep the operetta connected to the Gilbert and Sullivan canon.
Did Thespis come before The Pirates of Penzance?
Yes. Thespis premiered in 1871, decades before The Pirates of Penzance opened in 1879. The later operettas became far more established, while Thespis is mainly remembered as the pair's first collaboration.
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