W. S. Gilbert once described Arthur Sullivan as "incomparably the greatest English musician of the age." Besides contributing witty operatic parodies and a string of effervescent melodies to the Savoy operas, he wrote, amongst other works, cantatas, oratorios, concert overtures, incidental music to plays, numerous songs and a grand opera. He was the conductor of the Leeds Festival for almost twenty years, a friend of Royalty and a keen follower of the turf. He was knighted in 1883.

His Life

• A Short Biography by Stephen Turnbull
• Article about Sullivan from "Scribner's Journal", Volume 18 Issue 6 (October 1879), pp. 904-910. [External Link]
• Biographical sketch by Dr. Louis Engel, with photograph by Walery (1889)
• Celebrities at Home: Mr. Arthur Sullivan in Victoria-street from The World, 11 December 1879.
• Arthur Sullivan entry in Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
• Census returns, etc.
• Sullivan's Home. Pictures of Sullivan's apartment, No. 1, Queen's Mansions.
• The Genealogy of Arthur Sullivan.
• Obituary notices from The Times, 23 November 1900.
• Sir Arthur Sullivan, A Personal Reminiscence by George Grossmith from The Pall Mall Magazine, February 1901
• The will of Sir Arthur Sullivan

Articles on Various Aspects of Sullivan's Career

• Sullivan and the Covent Garden Promenade Concerts by John Sands
• Sullivan and the Glasgow Choral Union by John Sands
• Sullivan and the Royal Aquarium by John Sands
• A chapter on Sullivan as "The English Offenbach" from the book Gilbert and Sullivan Opera, A History and a Comment , by H. M. Walbrook, published in London in 1922.
• Sir Arthur Sullivan as a Church Musician from The Musical Times, January 1, 1901.
• Review of the Memorial Concert at the Crystal Palace from The Times, December 10th, 1900.

His Legacy

• The Gilbert and Sullivan Operas
• Other Music by Arthur Sullivan
  • Major Works
  • Chamber and Instrumental Music
  • Anthems and Services
  • Hymn Tunes
  • Christmas Music
  • Songs and Parlour Ballads
  • Part Songs
• Various autograph and copyist's manuscripts at the Pierpont Morgan Library.
• Sheet music for a large number of works, both great and small, can be found on the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP).

Interviews

From time to time Sullivan gave interviews to the press. These have been collected and transcribed by Arthur Robinson, David Cookson and Louis Silverstein.

Letters to The Times

Sullivan was not a frequent contributor to the Letters Page, but Arthur Robinson has collected his correspondence.

Recordings

• Sullivan's Voice — a recording of Sullivan's voice made in 1888, plus a recording of The Lost Chord made the same year, making it one of the first music recordings made.
• Toast to Sir Arthur Sullivan delivered at the Savoy Theatre on the centenary of his death.

Photograph

• Rare photograph of Sullivan as a participant in the performance of Romberg's Toy Symphony in aid of Great Ormand Street Children's Hospital, May 1880.

Books about Sullivan and the Savoy Operas (From The Internet Archive)

• Fitzgerald, P. (1894): The Savoy Opera and the Savoyards
• Lawrence, Arthur (1899): Sir Arthur Sullivan : life story, letters, and reminiscences
• Findon, Benjamin William (1904): Sir Arthur Sullivan, his life and music
• Fitz-Gerald, S. J. A. (1925): The Story Of The Savoy Opera In Gilbert And Sullivan Days
• Hughes, Gervase (1960): The Music of Arthur Sullivan
• Cellier and Bridgeman: Gilbert and Sullivan and their operas; with recollections and anecdotes of D'Oyly Carte & other famous Savoyard

Links

• The Sir Arthur Sullivan Society

Page modified 20 August 2017