Historedia
Person

W. S. Gilbert

Events
5
Episodes
12
Years
1871–1885

Every event in Historedia whose sources name W. S. Gilbert, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Premiere of Thespis, first Gilbert and Sullivan opera

    1871

    Role: Librettist

    1. 26 December 1871 · Venue disputed: Gaiety Theatre (passage evidence) vs Royalty Theatre (legacy record)Premiere of Thespis

      Thespis, the first Gilbert and Sullivan opera, premièred in London on 26 December 1871, commissioned by John Hollingshead as a holiday piece.

  2. Debut of H.M.S. Pinafore

    1878–1880

    Role: Librettist

    1. 25 May 1878 · Opera ComiqueDebut Performance

      H.M.S. Pinafore opened at the Opera Comique in London on 25 May 1878, conducted by Sullivan before an enthusiastic audience.

    2. 25 May 1878 – 20 February 1880 · Opera ComiqueInitial Run

      The opera completed its initial run of 571 performances on 20 February 1880, marking the second-longest run in musical theatre history at that time.

    3. 16 December 1879 · Opera ComiqueChildren's Production

      Carte mounted a children's version of Pinafore with a juvenile cast, beginning matinees at the Opera Comique on 16 December 1879.

  3. The Pirates of Penzance: Paignton token performance and Fifth Avenue Theatre premiere

    1879

    Role: Librettist

    1. 30 December 1879 · Royal Bijou TheatrePaignton Copyright Performance

      A perfunctory performance in Paignton secured British copyright before the New York premiere, organized by Helen Lenoir.

    2. 31 December 1879 · Fifth Avenue TheatreNew York Premiere

      The official premiere occurred at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City, receiving positive critical and audience reception.

  4. Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado opens at the Savoy Theatre

    1884–1885

    Role: Librettist

    1. 22 March 1884 · LondonContractual Notice

      Carte required a new opera within six months, triggering the creative process for The Mikado.

    2. 20 May 1884 · LondonPlot Stalemate Resolution

      The parties reached a stalemate, broken when Gilbert proposed a plot free of supernatural elements.

    3. 1885 · LondonRestoration of Solo

      Company members and others who witnessed the dress rehearsal begged Gilbert and Sullivan to restore a cut solo.

    4. 14 March 1885 · Savoy TheatrePremiere at Savoy

      The opera opened at the Savoy Theatre in London, beginning a historic run.

  5. Princess Ida premieres at the Savoy Theatre

    1884

    Role: Librettist

    1. 5 January 1884 · Savoy TheatrePremiere Performance

      Sullivan conducted the opening performance on 5 January 1884, collapsing from exhaustion immediately afterwards due to gruelling rehearsals.

    2. 29 January – 20 May 1884 · LondonPartnership Stalemate

      After the premiere, Sullivan resolved to write no more Savoy pieces; flagging receipts prompted Carte to require a new opera, and a stalemate over a supernatural plot element was resolved on 20 May 1884.

Sources

  1. W. S. Gilbert Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-07
  2. H.M.S. Pinafore Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-28
  3. The Pirates of Penzance Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-14
  4. The Mikado Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-08
  5. Princess Ida Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-15