The Sir Arthur Sullivan Blog
New research into his life and work
Who was Cunningham Bridgeman? Part 4: Zelig
In this series on the identity of Gilbert and Sullivan biographer, Cunningham Bridgeman, we have questioned Bridgeman’s claims of special knowledge of Arthur Sullivan, and started to outline Bridgeman’s background. So far, he’s proven to
Who was Cunningham Bridgeman? Part 3
I know of no book or website that outlines the life of Cunningham Bridgeman, so this narrative is based on public records and newspaper reports. Why am I interested in his life? We saw in
Who was Cunningham Bridgeman? Part 2
As we set forth in Part 1 of this series, Cunningham Bridgeman was the coauthor, with François Cellier, of the book Gilbert, Sullivan And D’Oyly Carte: Reminiscences Of The Savoy And The Savoyards. This was
Who was Cunningham Bridgeman? Part 1.5 Sing!
I love living in The Future I’m calling this “Part 1.5” of this story, because it is a short diversion from the main plot. But an exciting one. In Part 1 of this story I
Who was Cunningham Bridgeman? Part 1
The short answer is, he was the coauthor of the early and influential book, Gilbert, Sullivan And D’Oyly Carte: Reminiscences Of The Savoy And The Savoyards (among other titles), written in 1913-1914 with François Cellier.
10 November, 1899: The Absent Minded Distraction, Part 2
10 November, 1899 Called1. Bosworth. about foreign production & publication of new opera. He to be my representative in Germany & Austria, with Bloch-Erben (Ferenzcy [sic]) as his agents, at 20 p.c. 2. Byng &
7 November, 1899: The Absent-Minded Distraction, Part 1
7 November, 1899 Bendall took printer’s copy of “Ab: Mind: Beg:” to Balch –Daily Mail – also my M.S. to Alhambra for Byng to score.Rehearsal at Savoy. It’s a busy time for Sir Arthur Sullivan.
Searching the unsearchable, or What is a Sullivan Diary? Part 2
In my last post on Sullivan’s diaries, I claimed that the only way to positively know when a keyword has made its final appearance in Sullivan’s diaries is to read every subsequent word of every
What is a Sullivan Diary? or, Bertie’s Electrical Career, Part 4.
Part 4 of 3. It’s entirely possible that you, Dear Reader, have now heard more than enough about young Herbert Sullivan’s failure to launch a career. (That story begins here.) This post is inspired by
3 October, 1891: Bertie’s Electrical Career, Part 3.
3 October, 1891 Tom Chappell called with message from Gilbert,decision of “making up” – promised to write to him.Sent letter to Teddington by Louis – dined at Garrick. Having returned from betting on horses, Sullivan
2 October, 1891: Bertie’s Electrical Career, Part 2.
1 October, 1891 Newmarket 2 October, 1891 Returned from Newmarket. 8.p.m. dined at homedidn’t go out ___ __ In Part 1 of this story, I did warn you that Sullivan’s diary entries during the First
29 September, 1891: Bertie’s Electrical Career, Part 1.
Since your humble diarist took some time off, today’s Sullivan diary entries come from two days, back-to-back: 28 September, 1891 Went to city – called on Sir J. Pender about Bertie. 29 September, 1891 Went
Does Captain Basil Hood get a mention in Sherlock Holmes?
During the first week of July my friend had been absent so often and so long from our lodgings that I knew he had something on hand. The fact that several rough-looking men called during
Did Arthur Sullivan visit brothels? Part 4.
In this series, I have argued that, notwithstanding a scene in the movie Topsy-Turvy, the only assertions that Sir Arthur Sullivan ever engaged the services of a sex worker in a brothel were made by
Did Arthur Sullivan visit brothels? Part 3.
A prolonged longing? As I wrote in Parts 1 and 2 of this story, I believe that Sullivan’s biographer Arthur Jacobs erred when he suggested that Sullivan frequented a Parisian brothel at the address “No.
Did Arthur Sullivan visit brothels? Part 2.
The Mystery in the Rue Mont-Thabor As we saw in Part 1 of this story, on 10 April 1882, Arthur Sullivan arrived in Paris in the early morning hours and checked into the Grand Hotel.
Did Arthur Sullivan visit brothels? Part 1.
In the first moments of the movie Topsy-Turvy—a film I recommend—an obviously ill Sir Arthur Sullivan is stimulated with enough coffee and morphine to revive him sufficiently to conduct the opening night of Gilbert &
24 September, 1889: Research in action.
24 September, 1889: 1st Oct: Meeting Middleditch at 9. worked with him till 12.30.Then writing till 4. called at all[?] in Strand(to L.W.)& ordered nice Gladstone bag for Bertie’s 21st birthday present.left St. Pancras at
23 September, 1888: Yeoman Rough Rider
23 September, 1888 Began sketching Overture – Mrs R. & Reggie arrivedat Euston 6.45 tired, all dined here at 9. It is 1888 and Sir Arthur Sullivan is about to complete his finest work of
22 September, 1885: The Ulmar Paragraph, Part 2 – That scoundrel Byrne
22 September, 1885 Went to Rockaway races with Mrs R & Adele.got into the wrong train returning, went to Brooklynover the Bridge & by “L” Railway home. & dined at Delsat 8.30! Beastly wet day.
21 September, 1885: The Ulmar Paragraph, Part 1
‘Drove Miss Ulmar home O’ 21 September, 1885 Sent Miss U. some toothache stuff – Raging toothache. Hope she will be all right for Thursday. It’s 1885. The Mikado has been playing in London since
20, September 1887: Shooting season!
20, September 1887 Mrs Huyshe, Martins, Wagg, Dicey, and Dresden arrdIll in bed & could not see them. It’s 1887. Ruddigore opened at the Savoy Theatre last 22 January. It’s been nearly a year since
19 September, 1900: Adieu Paris
‘but my throat no better’ Left Paris by 11.50 from Gare du Nord. Nice warm day, but my throatno better. arr: home 7.30. Found the house fresh & clean anddelightful as usual after an absence.
18 September, 1892: A mad dash to Haddon Hall
18 September, 1892 Quiet all day – wrote song for Barrington (No 10)Gdma, Auntie & Beaumont dined here. In 1892 Sullivan produced a light opera with a writer other than W.S. Gilbert for the first
17 September, 1896: Zero F***s given!
17 September, 1896 Buda Pest. and Vienna. Very hot. After breakfast called on the Hawthorn girls.Bertie, George Arthur & self left Pest at 2. awfullyhot in train. arr: Vienna 6.30 – back to H. ImperialHad
From the diaries: Did Sullivan worry about Princess Ida?
Was Sullivan concerned about the potential success of Princess Ida? The short answer is: no. At least not that he records in his diary. Princess Ida had a strangely elongated gestation period, compared to most of
Ivanhoe: One view from the boxes.
‘Being hot is only becoming to some girls.’ Field Marshal Garnet Joseph Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley (4 June 1833 – 25 March 1913) was the sort of Victorian war hero who spent a lot of time away from
16 September, 1883: Whatton, Part 2: The party continues
16 September, 1883 Whatton. quiet morning – church in theafternoon – played the service in a surplice,Cellier assisting – tea on the lawn – a prettylittle woman Mrs. Badger (husband embezzled& bolted) came to tea
15 September, 1883: King David and a visit to the Hall of Halls
15 September, 1883 Left for Leeds. 10.10 a.m. missed Macfarran atthe station – had accident to train in front of usat Lofthouse – no one killed – rehearsed “KingDavid” – 2nd part not satisfactory –
15 September, 1897: A Tale of River House, and a mystery
15 September, 1897 At work – tired after bycicling [sic]. wrote Fanny. Bertie returnedto town. Sullivan’s “bycicling” tiredness might have been caused on the previous day, when he “byked” to The Mitre, Hampton Court, a
14 September, 1881: A heavenly day, a heavenly…
Cuincy. Heavenly day – after dejeuner rowed outon the lake – and walked in the Park. Old fashionedpicturesque house – thoroughly French. Good ménage.Drove in to Douai afternoon – queer, straggling,dirty, largish & prosperous town.
13 September, 1898: A Spa day for Sullivan
13 September, 1898 Left Victoria [blank space] train. Very fair passage. arrived at Spa about 8.30. My quarters at Hotel d’Orange, supposed to be best hotel. usual story. the rooms ordered for me & agreed upon, were of
12 September , 1882: a day in the life…
September 12, 1882 To bed at 7. Up again at 11. Carte came – also F. Cellier. Went to the theatre at 1. rehearsed 1st Act Music. Gilbert came back with me – worked
11 September, 1884 in the life of Arthur Sullivan, from his diaries.
This time, try to guess what Sullivan might have been up to on Sept 11, 1884. I’ll give you a hint. It was productive, in the compositional sense. It involved a Gilbert & Sullivan show.
10 September, 1886: A golden day in the life of Arthur Sullivan
September 10, 1886 Pouring wet day – went to town & took the 1.30 to Leeds. Fry brought vocal scores for conductor and [accompanists] to Station – dined at [Great Northern] Hotel with Spark &
9 September, 1899 in the life of Arthur Sullivan, from his diaries.
September 9, 1899 Cold and autumnal. Working at 2nd Act. Short trike ride before dinner.Long letter from H.L. re Sopranos – production etc. Dreyfus trial finished. The “2nd Act” here is that of The Rose
There was one clear winner, among the SWOGs.
The SWOGs? What on earth were they?
A Tale of Cox & Box — Or How an Italian terrorist gave rise to Gilbert and Sullivan
What led young Arthur Sullivan into the glamorous world of musical theater? Connections.
The Perplexities of Princess Ida
What makes Princess Ida so difficult to follow? Try our quiz!