Notes

• "In Oh Joy! Oh Rapture! 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as his starting point the expiry of copyright on the opera libretti at the end of 1961 and using fascinating hitherto unpublished archive material, Bradley reveals the extraordinary story of the last years of the old D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, the guardian of Savoy tradition for over a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 Gilbert and Sullivan, and the arcane interests of some of the faithful ‘inner brotherhood’." "The book will appeal not only to dedicated Gilbert and Sullivan fans but also to those interested in cultural history, performing arts, and the enduring legacy of Victorian values. Looking to the future, Bradley finds strong grounds for predicting that the works of these two great Victorian geniuses will continue to provide both innocent amusement and divine emollient for many years to come."–BOOK JACKET