The collaboration of W.S.Gilbert (1836-1911) and Sir Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900) is one of the legends light opera. Gilbert's writing was known for his piercing, satirical wit which permeated most of his writing. He was a successful journalist, dramatist, poet and even cartoonist. Sullivan, whose father was a band leader, had reached adequate competence on most of the instruments in the band by age eight. He was the composer of popular religious music, operas and an organist of note. Both of these talented men were successful in their own right, but the collaboration of composer and librettist created the most innovative and popular shows in 19th century British musical theater. Both, at different times, were knighted. The perfection of their songs is based on the fact that the two worked closely to match perfectly the lyric with the music, rather than one element being forced to fit the other. The King's Singers are uniquely suited to sing this very British repertoire from H.M.S. Pinafore, The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, Ruddigore and The Gondoliers. |
