Arthur Sullivan

Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan (13 May 1842 – 22 November 1900) was an English composer. He is best known for his 14 comic opera collaborations with the dramatist W. S. Gilbert, including H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. Sullivan's works include 24 operas, 11 major orchestral pieces, ten choral works, and oratorios, as well as two ballets, incidental music to several plays, and many church pieces, songs, and piano and chamber pieces. His hymns and songs include "Onward, Christian Soldiers" and "The Lost Chord".

Born to a military bandmaster, Sullivan composed his first anthem at the age of eight and was later a soloist in the boys' choir of the Chapel Royal. In 1856, at 14, he received the first Mendelssohn Scholarship from the Royal Academy of Music, which allowed him to study at the academy and then at the Leipzig Conservatoire in Germany. His graduation piece, incidental music to Shakespeare's The Tempest (1861), was well received when it was first performed in London.

In 1866 Sullivan composed a one-act comic opera, Cox and Box, which is still widely performed today. He wrote his first opera with W. S. Gilbert, Thespis, in 1871. Their partnership truly began with Trial by Jury in 1875. This opera's success led to a series of twelve full-length comic operas. After the huge success of H.M.S. Pinafore (1878) and The Pirates of Penzance (1879), their producer, Richard D'Oyly Carte, built the Savoy Theatre in 1881, and their operas became known as the Savoy operas. Some of the later operas include The Mikado (1885) and The Gondoliers (1889).

Sullivan also created serious pieces, like two cantatas, The Martyr of Antioch (1880) and The Golden Legend (1886). He wrote music for several Shakespeare plays performed in the West End and held conducting and academic positions. Sullivan's only grand opera, Ivanhoe, was successful when it debuted in 1891 but is rarely performed today. Sullivan passed away at the age of 58, respected as Britain's leading composer. His comic opera style influenced many musical theatre composers who came after him, and his music is still often performed, recorded, and pastiched.

Life and career

Sullivan was born on 13 May 1842 in Lambeth, London. His father was a military bandmaster and music teacher, and his mother was English born. Young Arthur became skilled with many instruments and composed his first piece of music, an anthem called "By the Waters of Babylon," when he was eight. Despite his talent, his father discouraged him from pursuing music as a career.

Sullivan studied at a private school and later joined the choir of the Chapel Royal at age 12. He flourished there, writing anthems and songs. In 1856, at age 14, he received the Mendelssohn Scholarship from the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied under notable teachers. He later studied in Germany at the Leipzig Conservatoire, absorbing various musical styles.

Sullivan began his composing career with ambitious works and also took jobs as a church organist and music teacher. He started collaborating with the dramatist W. S. Gilbert in the 1870s, creating famous comic operas like H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, and The Mikado. These operas became extremely popular and turned Gilbert and Sullivan into an international sensation.

Despite facing health issues, Sullivan continued to compose throughout his life. He also worked on serious pieces, including oratorios and cantatas. Sullivan passed away from heart failure on 22 November 1900 at the age of 58. He was buried in St Paul's Cathedral in London, and many honors were awarded to him during his lifetime, including a knighthood. His operas remain popular and have been adapted into various forms of entertainment over the years.

Personal life

Sullivan never married, but he had deep feelings for several women. His first serious relationship was with Rachel Scott Russell, but her family did not approve. He also had feelings for her sister Louise, but these relationships ended by 1869.

His longest relationship was with Fanny Ronalds, an American living in Europe. They met in Paris and stayed close for many years, even though they kept their relationship private. Sullivan admired her singing and she often performed his songs. He remained fond of her until his death.

Sullivan enjoyed spending time in France, where he gambled and hosted gatherings at his home. He was devoted to his parents and especially close to his mother. After his brother Fred passed away, Sullivan took care of Fred’s children, supporting them financially and staying in touch with them throughout his life.

Music

See also: List of compositions by Arthur Sullivan

Arthur Sullivan created many different types of music. He wrote 24 operas, 11 big pieces for orchestras, ten choral works, two ballets, and lots of other music like hymns, songs, and pieces for piano. Sullivan often worked with a writer named W. S. Gilbert on funny operas, such as H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, and The Mikado.

Sullivan was greatly inspired by another composer named Mendelssohn. He also liked the styles of other famous composers, mixing their ideas into his own music. Sullivan liked to write melodies that matched the words of the songs very well, making his music both fun and clever. He was also very good at writing music for different instruments, making each part sound just right.

Reputation and criticism

Main article: Critical reputation of Arthur Sullivan

Arthur Sullivan started his career with great promise. When he was young, his music for a play called The Tempest was very well received. People thought he might become a great composer.

Later, when Sullivan began working with W. S. Gilbert on comic operas, some serious music critics didn't approve. They thought that writing funny music was not as important as writing serious music. Even after Sullivan became a knight in 1883, some critics felt he should only write serious pieces.

Sullivan’s serious music piece The Golden Legend from 1886 was praised highly. One newspaper called it a “triumph of English art.” Over time, people began to appreciate more of Sullivan's music, not just his comic operas. Today, he is remembered as a talented composer whose music brought joy to many.

Recordings

Further information: Gilbert and Sullivan § Recordings and broadcasts

On August 14, 1888, a man named George Gouraud showed a new invention called the phonograph in London. He played a recording of a piano and cornet playing a piece called "The Lost Chord" by Arthur Sullivan. This was one of the very first music recordings ever made. Sullivan was amazed by the invention and recorded a message to send to Thomas Edison, the inventor.

The first recordings of Sullivan's music became available in 1898, starting with pieces from his famous shows. In 1917, a company made the first full recording of one of his operas, called The Mikado. Many more recordings of his works were made over the years by different artists and companies. Today, we can listen to many of Sullivan's songs and operas thanks to these early recordings.