The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan by Arthur Sullivan and W. S. Gilbert
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"The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan" by Sir Arthur Sullivan and W. S. Gilbert is a collection of operas created in the late 19th century, encompassing a delightful array of comic operas which are renowned for their wit, clever lyrics, and intricate musical compositions. The opening portion introduces "The Gondoliers," highlighting its comedic and whimsical exploration of social themes, including class and monarchy, through the lives and interactions of gondoliers in
Venice. At the start of "The Gondoliers," the scene is set in the picturesque Piazzetta of Venice, where groups of contadine (young maidens) are preparing bouquets for two distinguished gondoliers, Marco and Giuseppe. As the gondoliers arrive, both men are presented with floral tributes by the maidens enamored with them, creating a lively atmosphere filled with excitement. The narrative quickly unfolds into a series of lighthearted misadventures involving a mistaken identity regarding royal lineage, highlighting the tension between their humble lives and their unexpected royal duties. The characters’ playful banter, combined with Gilbert's sharp social commentary, sets the stage for a comedic exploration of love, duty, and the absurdities of class distinctions. The dynamic between the gondoliers and their potential brides encapsulates the humor and charm that are hallmarks of Gilbert and Sullivan's collaboration. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Sullivan, Arthur, 1842-1900 |
|---|---|
| Author | Gilbert, W. S. (William Schwenck), 1836-1911 |
| Title | The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan |
| Contents | The gondoliers -- The grand duke -- H.M.S. Pinafore -- Iolanthe -- The Mikado -- The pirates of Penzance -- Princess Ida -- Ruddigore -- The sorcerer -- Thespis -- Trial by jury -- Utopia, Limited -- The yeomen of the guard -- Patience. |
| Credits | Produced by David Reed, and David Widger |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 84.3 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | ML: Music: Literature of music |
| Subject | Operas -- Librettos |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 808 |
| ISBN (HTML) | 979-8-238-00808-0 |
| Release Date | Feb 1, 1997 |
| Last Update | Feb 23, 2026 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 1976 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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