William S. Gilbert

 Musicals / Librettist Datebook: November 18

 

English Librettist and Playwright, Best Known as Sullivan's Opera/Operetta  Partner

 

Brief  biography of the life and times of William S. Gilbert, of 'Gilbert and Sullivan' comic opera/operetta partnership. 

 

Sir William Gilbert, librettist, playwright, poet and illustrator, collaborated with Sir Arthur Sullivan on an immensely successful comic operas. His lyrics are often exuberant and full of humour with brilliant rhyme and rhythm. Some of their famous works include H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, and The Mikado.

 

Early Life of Gilbert

William Schwenck Gilbert was born on November 18, 1836, in Strand, London, a son of a retired naval surgeon who later became a novelist and a short story writer. He had an ordinary upbringing apart from an unusual episode when he was kidnapped in Italy, at the age of two, by a gang who demanded a random for his release.

He studied at King's College London. He took training as an artillery officer and was taught military science with hopes of participating in the Crimean War. He did not graduate until it was over, at which point he still joined the militia and stayed being a member for twenty years.      

Career in Law

After his military training, Gilbert worked in a government bureau. Thanks to his aunt who bequeathed an inheritance, Gilbert pursued an interest and became a barrister.  He did work as a barrister at the age of 28, but this was short-lived as he failed to attract significant briefs. Before leaving his law practice, he married an army officer's daughter. 

Below,  Favourite Gilbert & Sullivan Moments. YouTube, uploaded by Gilbert & Sullivan Festival. Accessed November 18, 2021. 

The Witty Writer and Illustrator

Gilbert's talent for wit and caustic sarcasm was became the primary source that led him to a successful career and fame. At 25, he contributed dramatic criticism and humorous verses to Punch and Fun, a British magazine. He also illustrated cartoons and sketches which he simple signed with his boyhood nickname "Bab." Notably, many of the characters in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas were modeled on some of his "Bab" characters.

The Gilbert and Sullivan Musical Partnership

The years 1868 until 1875, he was 32 to 39, were fruitful years as two of his plays profited him great rewards. It was also the time when he collaborated with composer Arthur Sullivan on Thespis. 

The Gilbert-Sullivan partnership which began in 1871 spanned twenty-five years producing light operas or operettas. They scored their first success with Trial by Jury under Richard D'Oyly Carte's management at the Royalty Theatre.   The last one, The Grand Duke, was premiered in 1896.     

Final Years

After Sir Arthur Sullivan's death in 1900, Gilbert's efforts to fill the gap proved unsuccessful.  William S. Gilbert was knighted by Edward VII in 1907. He died in May 29, 1911, aged 75, while attempting to save a drowning woman.  

Suggested listening pleasures:

HMS PINAFORE -The D'oyly Carte Opera Company 1973. YouTube, uploaded by David Rumelle. Accessed November 18, 2021.

The Mikado Act I and Act II. YouTube, uploaded by Clayton Young. Accessed November 18, 2019.    

 

List of Work by Gilbert and Sullivan

Trial by Jury, 1875

The Sorcerer, 1877

H.M.S. Pinafore, 1878

The Pirates of Penzance, 1879

Patience, 1881

Iolanthe, 1882

The Mikado, 1885

Ruddigore, 1887

The Yeomen of the Guard, 1888

The Gondoliers, 1889

The Grand Duke, 1896

 

Image credit: 

Sir William S. Gilbert. Wikipedia Commons / Public Domain

 

Resources:

1. Biographical Dictionary, New Edition, edited by Una McGovern, Chambers (2002)

2. The Grove Concise Dictionary of Music, edited by Stanley Sadie, Macmillan (1994) 

3. Victorian songs & Music by Olivia Bailey, Caxton Editions (2002)

 

(Note: I originally wrote this biography for Suite101.com, 2 May 2008. This piece is an abridged version. / Tel) 

 

(c) 2010. Updated November 18, 2022. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.