Gilbert and Sullivan: Gender, Genre, Parody

497 Pages·2011·6.73 MB·English

by  Carolyn Williams

Gilbert and Sullivan
GENDER AND CULTURE
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Carolyn Williams
^ *
Gilbert Sullivan
and
GENDER • GENRE • PARODY
Columbia University Press New York
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COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS
Publishers Since 1893
New York Chichester, West Sussex
Copyright © 2011 Columbia University Press
All rights reserved
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Williams, Carolyn, 1950–
Gilbert and Sullivan : gender, genre, parody / Carolyn Williams.
p. cm. — (Gender and culture)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-231-14804-7 (cloth : alk. paper)
ISBN 978-0-231-51966-3 (e-book)
1. Sullivan, Arthur, 1842–1900. Operas. 2. Gilbert, W. S. (William Schwenck), 1836–1911.
3. Opera—England—19th century. 4. Parody in music. 5. Sex role in music. I. Title. II. Series.
ML410.S95W45 2010
782.1'20922—dc22 2010018859
Columbia University Press books are printed on permanent and durable acid-free paper.
This book is printed on paper with recycled content.
Printed in the United States of America
c 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Designed by Lisa Hamm
References to Internet Web sites (URLs) were accurate at the time of writing.
Neither the author nor Columbia University Press is responsible for URLs that
may have expired or changed since the manuscript was prepared.
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For Michael and Lucy
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Contents
List of Illustrations ix
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xvii
Introduction
1
Part I. Genres
1. Outmoding Classical Extravaganza, Englishing Opéra Bouffe: Thespis
33
2. Gender in the Breach: Trial by Jury
55
3. English Magic, English Intoxication: The Sorcerer
75
4. “Never Mind the Why and Wherefore”: The Parody of Nautical
Melodrama in H.M.S. Pinafore
97
5. Recollecting Illegitimacy: The Pirates of Penzance
122
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Part II. Genders
6. New Light on Changing Gender Norms: Patience
151
7. Transforming the Fairy Genres: Women on Top in Iolanthe
187
8. War Between the Sexes: Princess Ida
222
Part III. Cultures
9. Estrangement and Familiarity: The Mikado
255
10. Mixing It Up: Gothic and Nautical Melodrama in Ruddigore
274
11. The Past Is a Foreign Country: The Yeomen of the Guard
294
12. Imaginary Republicanism: The Gondoliers
312
13. Capitalism and Colonialism: Utopia, Limited
325
14. Continental Recollections: The Grand Duke
344
After Gilbert and Sullivan: The Momentum of Parody
365
Notes 371
Index 423
viii Contents
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Illustrations
FIGURES
1.1. Nellie Farren as Mercury in Thespis 36
1.2. Erotic triangle in Thespis 48
2.1. Defendant and Counsel for the Plaintiff in Trial by Jury 63
2.2. First-run program for Trial by Jury 73
3.1. George Grossmith as the Sorcerer 87
3.2. Alfred Bryan, “A Walk Round by Mr Grossmith” 87
3.3. Incantation Scene in The Sorcerer 88
4.1. Richard Temple as Dick Deadeye in H.M.S. Pinafore 103
4.2. J. G. Robertson as Ralph Rackstraw in H.M.S. Pinafore 105
4.3. Bab [W. S. Gilbert], drawing for “The British Tar” 111
4.4. John Tenniel, “Our New ‘First Lord’ at Sea” 117
5.1. Kate Santley as Princess Toto 131
5.2. Rosina Brandram as Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance 138
5.3. Law and outlaws in The Pirates of Penzance 140
5.4. Richard Temple as the Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance 141
6.1. George du Maurier, “Disastrous Result of Beautymania” 153
6.2. George du Maurier, “Nincompoopiana.—The Mutual
Admiration Society” 157
6.3. George du Maurier, “An Aesthetic Midday Meal” 158
6.4. George du Maurier, “The Six-Mark Tea-Pot” 161
6.5. George du Maurier, “Perils of Aesthetic Culture” 161
6.6. George du Maurier, “An Impartial Statement in Black
and White” 162
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