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 works with the writer W. S. Gilbert, including H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. Sullivan created many different types of music, such as operas, orchestral pieces, choral works, and oratorios. He also wrote hymns and songs like "Onward, Christian Soldiers" and "The Lost Chord".

Sullivan started composing music when he was very young. He was a soloist in the boys' choir of the Chapel Royal. In 1856, at age 14, he won the first Mendelssohn Scholarship from the Royal Academy of Music. This allowed him to study there and later at the Leipzig Conservatoire in Germany. His graduation piece was music for Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and it was well liked when it was first played in London.

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

Sullivan also wrote serious music, like two cantatas, The Martyr of Antioch (1880) and The Golden Legend (1886). He created music for Shakespeare plays performed in the West End and held conducting and teaching jobs. His only grand opera, Ivanhoe, was successful when it debuted in 1891 but is not performed often today. Sullivan died at age 58 and was respected as Britain’s leading composer. His comic opera style influenced many later musical theatre composers, and his music is still performed, recorded, and pastiched.

Life and career

Sullivan was born on 13 May 1842 in Lambeth, London. His father was a music teacher, and his mother was English born. Young Arthur learned to play many instruments and wrote his first piece of music, an anthem called "By the Waters of Babylon," when he was eight. His father did not want him to become a musician.

Sullivan went to a private school and then joined the choir of the Chapel Royal at age 12. He wrote anthems and songs there. In 1856, at age 14, he won the Mendelssohn Scholarship from the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied with famous teachers. He also studied music in Germany.

Sullivan started his career by writing music and working as a church organist and music teacher. In the 1870s, he began working with the writer W. S. Gilbert. They created famous comic operas like H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, and The Mikado. These operas became very popular and made Gilbert and Sullivan famous around the world.

Sullivan kept writing music his whole life, even when he was not well. He also wrote serious pieces of music. Sullivan died from heart failure on 22 November 1900 at the age of 58. He was buried in St Paul's Cathedral in London. He was honored with a knighthood during his life. His operas are still popular today and have been turned into many different kinds of shows.

Personal life

Sullivan never married, but he cared deeply for several women. His first serious relationship was with Rachel Scott Russell, but her family did not approve. He also cared 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 liked to spend time in France, where he gambled and hosted gatherings at his home. He loved his parents and was especially close to his mother. After his brother Fred passed away, Sullivan took care of Fred’s children, helping them and staying in touch with them throughout his life.

Music

See also: List of compositions by Arthur Sullivan

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

Sullivan was inspired by a composer named Mendelssohn. He also liked the styles of other famous composers and mixed their ideas into his own music. Sullivan liked to write melodies that fit the words of the songs well, making his music fun and clever. He was also 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 began 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 started working with W. S. Gilbert on funny plays, some serious music critics didn't approve. They believed that writing funny music was not as important as writing serious music. Even after Sullivan became a knight in 1883, some critics still felt he should only write serious pieces.

Sullivan’s serious music piece The Golden Legend from 1886 was praised a lot. One newspaper called it a “triumph of English art.” Over time, more people began to appreciate Sullivan's music, including his funny plays. Today, he is remembered as a talented composer whose music brought joy to many.

Recordings

Further information: Gilbert and Sullivan § Recordings and broadcasts

In 1888, a man named George Gouraud showed a new invention in London called the phonograph. He played a recording of piano and cornet music by Arthur Sullivan. Sullivan was very excited to hear it and recorded a message for Thomas Edison, who made the phonograph.

The first recordings of Sullivan's music came out 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 music were made over the years. Today, we can still listen to a lot of Sullivan's songs and operas thanks to these early recordings.