Oh joy! oh rapture! the enduring phenomenon of Gilbert and Sullivan

Summary: In Oh Joy! Oh Rapture! expert and enthusiast Ian Bradley explores the world of Gilbert and Sullivan over the last four and a half decades, looking at the way this "phenomenon" is passed from generation to generation. Taking as his starting point the expiry of copyright on the opera libretti at the end of 1961 and using fascinating hitherto unpublished archive material, Bradley reveals the extraordinary story of the last years of the old D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, the guardian of Savoy tradition for over a hundred years, and the troubled history of its successor. He explores the rich vein of parodies, spoofs, and spin-offs of the songs, as well as their influence on twentieth century lyricists and composers. He analyzes professional productions across the world, looks at the unique place of G&S in schools, colleges, and universities, and lovingly explores the culture of amateur performance. He also uncovers the largely male world of the obsessive fans, those collecting memorabilia, the myriad magazines, journals, websites, and festivals devoted to G&S, and the arcane interests of some of the faithful "inner brotherhood.

Record details

ISBN: 1423720776 (electronic bk.)
ISBN: 9781423720775 (electronic bk.)
ISBN: 9780195167009 (hardcover : alk. paper)
ISBN: 0195167007 (hardcover : alk. paper)
ISBN: 1280534052
ISBN: 9781280534058
Physical Description: electronic resource
remote
1 online resource (xii, 220 p.) : ill.
Publisher: Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2005.

Content descriptions

General Note:	Multi-User. CatMonthString:may.18
Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references and index.
Formatted Contents Note:	Something lingering : the enduring influence of Gilbert and Sullivan through the twentieth century -- A thing of shreds and patches : the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, 1961-1982 -- Unfriended, unprotected, and alone : the new D'Oyly Carte, 1988-2003 -- Virtue is triumphant only in theatrical performances : professional productions, 1961-2004 -- Masculine insects with the morals of a Methodist : Gilbert and Sullivan fans -- Amateur tenors sing choruses in public : the world of amateur performance -- In this college, useful knowledge : G & S in schools and universities -- Things are seldom what they seem : parodies, spoofs, and spin-offs -- Maintaining with no little heat their various opinions : G & S scholarship, partisanship and appreciation -- Peep with security into futurity : Buxton it is!
Source of Description Note:	Description based on print version record.