Full Description
The Trials by Opera of Gilbert and Sullivan and Richard D'Oyly Carte explores the relationship of these three creative geniuses. They created a sensational new genre of musical entertainment but their fractious relationship was held together by the diplomacy and organisational ability of Helen D'Oyly Carte.
During the period from 1875 to 1890 William S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan had great success with their comic operas, both at home and overseas. Richard D'Oyly Carte played an invaluable part in the promotion of their productions, but this led to conflict with Gilbert who never accepted the importance of D'Oyly Carte's contribution and resented him making money on the back of the Gilbert and Sullivan's creative talents. Although Gilbert and Sullivan produced harmonious and beloved work, their relationship was far from congenial. Gilbert disliked Sullivan's sybaritic tendencies and his hobnobbing with the great and the good including royalty. Sullivan found Gilbert abrasive. Business and copyright problems abounded during this time but despite conflicts, legal actions and ill health, Gilbert, Sullivan and Richard D'Oyly Carte created a legacy of gloriously staged music which endures today.
Contents
Scene 1: Trial by jury, January 1875
Scene 2: The birth of their first success, January 1875
Scene 3: Helen Lenoir - the peacemaker, June 1877
Scene 4: Grossmith gossips, May 1878
Scene 5: Buying time, August 1878
Scene 6: Carte plays a card, April 1879
Scene 7: The investors' revolt, May 1879
Scene 8: Causing a scene at the Opera Comique, July 1879
Scene 9: The winter of discontent, February 1880
Scene 10: Back home to Pirates, March 1880
Scene 11: The Garrick Gentleman's Club, April 1880
Scene 12: Patience is a virtue, April 1881
Scene 13: Savoy small talk, October 1882
Scene 14: Princess Ida's final performance, October 1884
Scene 15: The Mikado: rehearsal and rebellion, March 1885
Scene 16: The carpet quarrel, December 1889
Scene 17: Finale
