Welcome to the website of the

Sir Arthur Sullivan Society

The Society aims to promote and generate interest in the music of Sir Arthur Sullivan through recordings, publications, festivals and the Society's magazine. We hope you find everything you need to know about Sullivan and the Society on this website including:

Society membership
up to date news of forthcoming performances and other events
music available for free download or hire
the Society's Shop selling recordings and books

and much more ...

Sir Arthur Sullivan

Born in London in 1842, Arthur Sullivan trained at the Chapel Royal, the Royal Academy of Music and the Leipzig Conservatoire. His incidental music to Shakespeare’s The Tempest made him an overnight celebrity when it was performed at the Crystal Palace in 1862. He went on to compose in practically every musical genre: oratorio, cantata, symphony, concerto, ceremonial works, incidental music for the stage, piano and chamber works, songs, partsongs, hymns and anthems.

His celebrated collaboration with W. S. Gilbert produced fourteen operas, including H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado, between 1871 and 1896. There were also ten operas with other librettists. Incomparably the greatest British musician of the nineteenth century, Sullivan held honorary doctorates from both Oxford and Cambridge, was knighted in 1883 and died in London in 1900.

News

The Untold Story of Herbert Sullivan, by Elaine Richardson

Elaine Richardson’s new book The Untold Story of Herbert Sullivan, chronicling the life of Sir Arthur Sullivan’s nephew and heir, is now available to purchase directly from the author at elaineatsass@aol.com price £40 + £8 UK first class postage.

Little has been written about Herbert over the years but due to Elaine’s detective work and research she is able to bring his story to us. The book covers Herbert’s life from 1868 until his death in 1928,

Forthcoming Events

Opera della Luna

Opera della Luna presents H.M.S. Pinafore: Oxford Playhouse 19 Jan 7.30; 20 Jan 2.30 & 7.30; Theatre Royal, Bath 24/26 Jan 7.30, 25/27 Jan 2.30 & 7.30. www.operadellaluna.org.

Charles Court Opera and Opera Holland Park

Charles Court Opera and Opera Holland Park with the City of London Sinfonia present The Yeomen of the Guard at Holland Park on 7-10 August 2024 (eves) and a Saturday matinée. www.operahollandpark.com

L’île Enchantée

Sullivan: L’île Enchantée: ballet in one act (1864) includes world premiere recordings of two of the movements

Sullivan: Procession March (1863) world premiere recording

Sullivan: Day Dreams (1867) orchestrated by Herman Finck (1934); arranged by Robin Gordon-Powell (2011) world premiere recording of this arrangement

Sullivan: The Sapphire Necklace – Overture (1863-64) orchestrated by Robin Gordon-Powell (2020) world premiere recording of this orchestration

BBC Concert Orchestra; John Andrews (conductor).

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