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

Haddon Hall review

The July issue of Gramophone contained an excellent review of Dutton’s recordings of Haddon Hall, Mr Jericho and Captain Billy, sponsored by the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society.

“for the quality of the performances, as well as the imaginative choice of repertoire, this recording sets a new standard in the presentation of English light opera on disc. More, please! ” (Richard Bratby,

Forthcoming Events

Muuppera, Finland

The Finnish première of Sullivan’s The Zoo will take place in Muurame, about 160 miles north of Helsinki, on 7 November at 7pm. Further performances: 8 Nov 5pm, 10 & 13 Nov 7pm, 14 Nov 2pm, 15 Nov 5pm.

The company performing the opera is Muuppera, which looks to provide opportunities for recently graduated singers to show off their talents. There will be a small chorus,

Charles Court Opera

Charles Court Opera presents Express G&S: The complete works of Gilbert & Sullivan in 75 mins! Pleasance Theatre, London: 17-22 November. Tues – Fri 7pm; Sat and Sun 2pm.The Maltings Theatre, St. Albans 24 – 28 November 7.30. Performance lasts 75 minutes; no interval. Distancing measures in place. More information and bookings: www.charlescourtopera.com.

Haddon Hall (complete without spoken dialogue) / Mr Jericho / Captain Billy

Arthur Sullivan: HADDON HALL (1892); libretto Sydney Grundy. Complete without spoken dialogue. First professional recording.

Ed Lyon (tenor) – John Manners; Henry Waddington (bass-baritone) – Sir George Vernon; Adrian Thompson (tenor) – Oswald; Ben McAteer (baritone) – Rupert Vernon; Donald Maxwell (baritone) – McCrankie; Sarah Tynan (soprano) – Dorothy Vernon; Fiona Kimm ( mezzo-soprano) – Lady Vernon; Angela Simkin (mezzo-soprano) – Dorcas; BBC Singers (chorus master Matthew Morley); BBC Concert Orchestra; John Andrews (conductor).

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