Oh Joy! Oh Rapture!: The Enduring Phenomenon of Gilbert and Sullivan (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780195328943)

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as his starting point the expiry of copyright on the opera libretti at the end of 1961 and using fascinating hitherto unpublished archive material, Bradley reveals the extraordinary story of the last years of the old D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, the guardian of Savoy tradition for over a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."

Author: Ian Bradley
ISBN-10: 0195328949
ISBN-13: 9780195328943
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Language: English
Published: 06/01/2007
Pages: 240
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.82lbs
Size: 9.17h x 6.30w x 0.67d