By: Patrik Gelbart
The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players have been cultivating the work of Gilbert and Sullivan for a long time. The company was founded by Mr. Albert Bergeret, who is the artistic director and conductor of the NYGASP orchestra pit. The company is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, which is why this event occurred.
An enjoyable and memorable night to remember, full of Gilbert and Sullivan favorites and great stories, this event took place on October 19, 2024, at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater at Symphony Space. This venue is good for medium-sized orchestras and is big enough that the stage view is good from every seat in the house. In terms of feeling welcomed and hospitality, I would say Symphony Space is totally fine. I have no negative feelings towards it, especially since I have both played and listened to several concerts there. The theater is always at a nice temperature, the ushers are very polite, and it’s very accessible to people who might have trouble getting around. The venue is located right by the Broadway subway lines at 96th Street.
On the program, were two events: one that started in the afternoon and one that was in the evening. The afternoon performance consisted of NYGASP history and a number of songs from various Gilbert and Sullivan operas. The songs were first introduced with the name of the show they were from and a little bit of history about who sang it the first time, or context that would help people understand the song better. On the setlist, alongside popular Gilbert and Sullivan songs, various instrumental sections were performed by Mr. Bergeret and the NYGASP orchestra. This included the overture from The Mikado, in addition to the overture to Iolanthe.
The most impressive part of the event was when the performers asked for audience requests. When the requests came in, the soloists, orchestra, and chorus sang the works impromptu. This was particularly amazing because the singers already seemed to know by heart every single word of the songs requested. All singers had a very nice and clear tone, with exceptional diction. This is especially hard with patter songs, which are songs that require precise timing and the ability to sing very fast while maintaining musicality and clarity. This is also a mind-blowing thing because you are going so fast, and to remember all of the lines is extremely difficult, especially when it’s at random request from twelve different shows.
W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan were a duet that wrote several operas during the 1800s, otherwise known as the Victorian era in England. Arthur Sullivan was the composer. This meant that when Gilbert gave Sullivan a script, Sullivan would put it to music. Oftentimes, they didn’t get along and would fight about things. The person who would resolve all their fighting was usually Richard D’Oyly Carte, the producer and founder of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, which is where the two were employed. Gilbert was the librettist, otherwise known as the person who writes the words to the opera. Gilbert was known for his witty writing, and he did have a sense of humor. He did not show it in person and was actually quite grumpy most of the time. As seen in the well researched Topsy Turvy movie by Mike Leigh, Gilbert would usually leave during the start of the performance, worrying whether the audience would like it or not, then return to take a bow at the end when both of them would be on stage to be praised for their work. Sullivan, on the other hand, was quite giddy, and although he was prone to sickness, he spent nights out at bars and even sometimes gambling.
Gilbert’s wit and sarcastic humor, along with Sullivan’s harmonious music, created great pieces of work that we are lucky to have brought back to theaters by the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players. NYGASP has done outreach in schools and the education system to help spread the work of Gilbert and Sullivan to young minds. They often bring a few props and sometimes sing a few songs. The songs would usually be from the big three shows, which are H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, and The Mikado. I was made an ambassador for the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players’ outreach program, which means that I would be part of going into the schools and helping NYGASP with their projects, or even promoting the company.
We are so lucky to have this company in New York and it was a wonderful evening full of laughs, tears, and applause.
Sources and References
“Education.” New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, nygasp.org/education. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
Bradley, Ian. “Gilbert and Sullivan.” Grove Music Online. September 22, 2015. Oxford University Press. Date of access 11 Dec. 2024,
The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive, gsarchive.net/. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
“New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players: Golden Jubilee.” Symphony Space, www.symphonyspace.org/events/vp-new-york-gilbert-sullivan-players-golden-jubilee. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
