A most ingenious paradox : the art of Gilbert & Sullivan
Written more than a century ago, and initially regarded even by their creators as nothing more than light entertainment, the operas of Gilbert and Sullivan emerged over the course of the 20th century as the world's most popular body of musical-theatre works. Despite the works' resounding popularity and proven longevity however, most books written on Gilbert and Sullivan have focused on the authors, rather than their work. Examining all fourteen operas in detail, Gayden Wren offers a fresh look at the works themselves. He argues that the key to the operas' longevity lies not primarily in their clever lyrics, witty dialogue, or catchy music, but in the central themes underlying the characters and stories.
"Written more than a century ago and initially regarded even by their creators as nothing more than light entertainment, the fourteen operas of Gilbert & Sullivan emerged over the course of the twentieth century as the world's most popular body of musical-theater works, ranking second only to Shakespeare in the history of English-language theater. Despite this resounding popularity and proven longevity, most books written about the duo have focused on the authors rather than the works. With this detailed examination of all fourteen operas, Gayden Wren fills this void. His thesis finds the key to the operas' longevity, not in the clever lyrics, witty dialogue, or catchy music, but in the central themes underlying the characters and stories themselves. Like Shakespeare's comedies, Wren shows, the operas of Gilbert & Sullivan endure because of their timeless themes, which speak to audiences as powerfully now as they did the first time they were performed. --From publisher's description."
"Written more than a century ago, and initially regarded even by their creators as nothing more than light entertainment, the operas of Gilbert and Sullivan emerged over the course of the 20th century as the world's most popular body of musical-theatre works. Despite the works' resounding popularity and proven longevity however, most books written on Gilbert and Sullivan have focused on the authors, rather than their work. Examining all fourteen operas in detail, Gayden Wren offers a fresh look at the works themselves. He argues that the key to the operas' longevity lies not primarily in their clever lyrics, witty dialogue, or catchy music, but in the central themes underlying the characters and stories."@en
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