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The Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Manchester We are not a performing society, but exist to help anyone who wants to increase their knowledge of the operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, and the lives of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. The aims of the society are to encourage people of all ages to enjoy and develop their knowledge of the world of Gilbert and Sullivan, and to help maintain the integrity of the operas. Join us on Facebook About Our history & commitment Future Events See what's happening Join Us Support us “To get from ‘p rotoplasmal primordial atomic globule’ (as Gilbert and Sullivan put it) to sentient upright modern human has required you to mutate new traits over and over in a precisely timely manner for an exceedingly long while." Bill Bryson – A Short History of Nearly Everything (2003)

2022 (22nd) Convention Frid ay 13 M ay 2022 7.00 pm Celebration Dinner (4 course). Dress; dinner jacket or lounge suit. This will mark Manchester Society's 90th Anniversary as well as being the opening of the Convention. Matthew Siveter (baritone) will delight us afterwards with a short concert accompanied at the piano by Martin Yates. The cash bar in the Regis Suite will be open until midnight. ​ ​ Satur day 14 May 2022 9.30 – 10.00 am Assemble 10.00 am Welcome 10.15 am The Mikado : the Victorian Mas terpiece of British opera Martin Yates , chairman of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society, places Sullivan in his proper place in the musical line from Purcell to Britten. 11.15 am Coffee 11.45 am A Great Savoyard : presentation on the life and work of Darrell Fancourt by his great niece, Deborah Lea. 12.45 pm Light Buffet Lunch : Cash bar open beforehand. 2 .30 pm Matthew Siveter will be interviewed about his musical and professional journey. Questions welcomed at the end. 3.15 to 3. 45 pm Interval tea or coffee 3.45 to 4.45 approx. Paul Taylor of Manchester Society will give a talk on the events leading up to the first production of Iolanthe . 4.45 to 6.30 pm Free time 6.30 pm Evening meal 8.00 pm Celebrity Concert by Leon Berger, Sylvia Clark, Eleanor Jane Moran and Russell Painter accompanied by Tim Smith. 10. 00 pm Tea, coffee and biscuits and a cash bar will be open until midnight. Sunday 15 May 10.0 0 am An Act of Worship featuring Sullivan’s two Te Deums led by Arthur Barrett and John Balls of Norwich G&S Society. 10.50 am approx. Coffee 11.30 am ‘In Duet’: Juliet Montgomery and Aidan Edwards will entertain in song accompanied by David Mackie. Formal close of convention. 1.00 pm Sunday Lunch (3 course) Disperse (“most reluctantly”) Review Review

Iolanthe Click on a photograph to enlarge it. Click here to return to Gallery index

HMS Pinafore Click on a photograph to enlarge it. Click here to return to Gallery index

Past Events 2024–2025 Programme 2023–2024 Programme 2022–2023 Programme 2022 Convention 2021–2022 Programme 2020–2021 Programme 2019–2020 Programme 2018–2019 Programme 2017–2018 Programme 2017 Convention 2016–2017 Programme 2015–2016 Programme 2014–2015 Programme 2013–2014 Programme 2012–2013 Programme 2011–2012 Programme 2010–2011 Programme 2009–2010 Programme

Programme for the 2015–16 (84th) Season Tuesday 6th Octo ber 2015 at 7.30 pm “Do you hear that? Are you not delighted?” Arthur Barrett of Norwich G&S Society will entertain us with unusual or rare recordings from his large collection. ​ Tuesday 3rd November 2015 at 7.30 pm “When I was a lad I served a term...” Mike Leigh, well-known film and theatre Director and writer, local lad and former member of this Society as a youth, will talk about his view of Gilbert and Sullivan. [P rofessional engagements permitting.] Prior booking essential: £7 for visitors The Harold Sumner meeting. ​ Tuesday 1st December 2015 at 7.30 pm “everything is interesting, tell us, tell us all about it” James Hendry, a very talented young pianist, accompanist and conductor from the TNCM will talk about promoting G&S and will entertain us on the pian o. [Professional engagements permitting.] The Norman Beckett meeting . ​ T uesday 12th January 2016 at 7.30 pm “Lift your song on high, all comers.” Some members of Sale Gilbert and Sullivan Society will entertain us right royally as they have done before. Always an enjoyable evening. ​ Sunday 31st January 2016 at 2.30 pm “On each of us thy learning shed.” A talk, illustrated at the piano, by tenor and singing teacher, Oliver White. We have enjoyed his many performances at Buxton/Harrogate G&S Festivals and his talk to the 2012 Convention. [Professional engagements permitting.] Admission: members £5, visitors £7 The Sheila Taylor meeting. ​ Tuesday 1st March 2016 at 7.30 pm “born in leap year...” A Frederic's birthday party; amusing ourselves and enjoying bring and share refreshments. ​ Sunday 3rd April 2016 at 2.30 pm “Everything is a source of fun.” Concert by soprano Ruth Betteridge who trained at the RNCM and has performed in the professional G&S Festival company. [Professional engagements permitting.] Admission: members £5, visitors £7 ​ Tuesday 3rd May 2016 at 7.30 pm “What ought we to do?” Annual General Meeting plus entertainment. Review

Programme for the 2011–12 (80th) Season Sunday 23rd October 2011 at 2.30 pm “how sweetly he carols forth his melody” Celebrity concert by Joseph Shovelton (tenor) and Ian Townsend (piano). [ Professional engagements permitting.] One not to be missed. Admission: members £5, visitors £7 The Sheila Taylor meeting. Tuesday 1st November 2011 at 7.15 pm “O man of learning!” ‘ Silent Witness; or, Tales of a Musical Detective’ Talk by Dr David Russell Hulme, conductor, musicologist, expert on Britis h music, well known for his research and publications on Sullivan. The Norman Beckett meeting. Tuesday 6th December 2011 at 7.15 pm “fear nothing, but enjoy yourselves, I pray!” Sing-It-Ourselves Evening – we will celebrate the Festive Season with a Sing-It-Ourselves evening with bring and share refreshments. Sunday 8th January 2012 at 3.00 pm “Every Journey has an end.” Outing to a semi-staged c oncert at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester" – The Pirates of Penzance with Alistair McGowan and several of our G&S favourites. De tails from Jean Dufty. Sunday 5th February 2012 at 2.30 pm “They sing so nicely.” Concert by Bridget Budge (contralto) and John Pratchett (bass-baritone), accompanied by Jonathan Ellis. [Professional engagements permitting.] Admission: members £5, visitors £7 Tues day 6th March 2012 at 7.15 pm “And now I look more closely at it.” Paul Taylor will give another of his informative study evenings. This time on The Pirates of Penzance . The Harold Sumner meeting. 20th - 22nd April 2012 “And echo forth the joyous sound” Gilbert and Sullivan Society National Convention at The Alma Lodge Hotel, Stockport. Tuesday 1st May 2012 at 7.15 pm “let u s grasp the situation” Annual General Meeting plus entertainment. Review Review

Programme for the 2012–13 (81st) Season Sunday 14th Octo ber 2012 at 2.30 p m “Rend with songs the air above” Celebrity concert by a great performer of Gilbert & Sullivan: Frances McCafferty (contralto) accompanied at the piano by David Wheeler. [Professional engagements permitting.] Admi ssion: members £5, visitors £7 T he Sheila Taylor meeting. ​ Tuesday 6th November 2012 at 7.15 pm “O man of learning!” Robin Wilson will present an illustrated talk ‘The other side of Sullivan’ about his non-G&S musical activities. The Norman Beckett meeting. ​ Tuesday 4th December 2012 at 7.15 pm “A ‘corps de ballet’ AND ‘A Theatrical crew’!” We will view a DVD of the ballet Pineapple Poll , music from the operas brilliantly arranged by the late Sir Charles Mackerras. In the second half, the committee will perform the Gilbert play, Creatures of Impulse . ​ Tuesday 8th January 2013 at 7.15 pm “What man for any other joy can thirst?” An evening of Gilbertian and Sullivanesque quizzes and games with our traditional excellent bring and share refreshments. ​ Tuesday 5th February 2013 at 7.15 pm “With choral joy delight the breeze” Concert by members of Sale Gilbert and Sullivan Society. ​ Sunday 3rd March 2013 at 2.30 pm “They sing so nicely” Concert postponed from last season by Bridget Budge (contralto) and John Patchett (bass/baritone), accompanied by Jonathan Elli s. [Professional engagements permitting.] Admission: members £5, visitors £7 The Harold Sumner meeting. ​ Tuesday 9 th April 2013 at 7.15 pm “On each of us thy learning shed” Martin Yates, musician and Chairman of the Sullivan Society, will fascinate us with a talk, illustrated at the piano, on the music of Princess Ida and The Yeomen of the Guard . ​ Tuesday 7th May 2013 at 7.15 pm “Now what is this and what is that?” Annual General Meeting plus entertainment. Review

Programme for the 2022–23 (91st) Season Sunday 11th September 2022 at 2.30 pm “With choral joy delight the breeze” A concert by Peter Crichton and some friends of his from Crosby G&S Society. Postponed from April 2022. ​ Sunday 2nd October 2022 at 2.30 pm “Towards the empyrean heights" A concert by five professional singers celebrating the life of the late Dorothy Goulden. David and Dorothy nurtured them when they were teenagers. The Sheila Taylor meeting. ​ Sunday 6th November 2022 at 2.30 pm “A Pure and Patient Love – Recorded” Our member David Wheeler will compare and contrast some different recordings of G&S operas pointing out interesting differences. The Harold Sumner meeting. ​ Tuesday 6th December 2022 on Zoom at 7.30 pm "There can be no harm in revelling in the past" Pamela Field, soprano with the D‘Oyly Carte in the 1970s, will talk about her days in the Carte and her subsequent career. ​ Tues day 10th January 2023 on Zoom at 7.30 pm "everything is interesting" Cr eating Iolanthe and Utopia Ltd, presented by Michael Heyland, Director of Productions, D‘Oyly Carte Opera Company 1969 to 1978. The Norman Beckett meeting. ​ Saturday 4th Feb ruary 2023 on Zoom at 10.30 am "in yonder isle beyond the sea" Presentation by Stuart Maunder and Diana Burleigh about some aspects of G&S in Australia. ​ Sunday 5th March 2023 at 2.30 pm “with laughing song and merry dance” A concert by Mae Heydorn, mezzo with the The G&S Festival Opera Company among other companies. Admission: members £5, visitors £7 ​ Sunday 2nd April 2023 at 2.30 pm "your character true unfurl" John Coates will encourage a few members to speak about one or more of their favourite characters in the G&S operas. ​ Tuesday 9th May 2023 on Zoom or Live at 7.30 pm "to this attend without undue delay" Annual General Meeting plus entertainment. Review Review Review

Useful Links British Newspaper Archive – has a good search function and contains lots of information about G&S, the operas, performers, etc. Christopher Browne's Gilbert and Sullivan Online Catalogue – the website for Gilbert and Sullivan music and memorabilia. Many different items are for sale, including books, libretti, sheet music, postcards, posters and recordings. ​ The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive – was established in September 1993. It includes a variety of G&S related items, including clip art, librettos, plot summaries, pictures of the original G&S stars, song scores, midi and mpeg audio files, and newsletter articles. New items are added regularly. ​ Gilbert and Sullivan Discography – Marc Shepherd's excellent discography includes details of recordings of G&S, including 78s, vinyl records, CDs and videos. ​ ​ Gilbert and Sullivan Festivals – the home site for the International G&S Festival. ​ ​ The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Sussex – the website contains The D'Oyly Carte Interviews where some former D'Oyly Carte members talk about their time with the Company. ​ ​ Grim's Dyke Hotel – the website for Grim's Dyke Hotel, former home of W.S. Gilbert. ​ gsopera.tv – a streaming service which features the very best of The National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company and many other leading professional and amateur companies from around the world. ​ Savoynet – an unmoderated electronic mailing list dedicated to discussion of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, the operas they wrote, British culture and musical theatre of their time, and related matters. ​ Sir Arthur Sullivan Society – the website for the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society. ​ The W.S. Gilbert Society – the website for The W.S. Gilbert Society.

Gallery The images in this gallery are low definition files. High definition files are available on request to treasurer@manchestergands.org.uk , and can be reproduced provided that they are credited with "Manchester Gilbert & Sullivan Archives". ​ Click on the appropriate button to see the photo gallery. ​ Iolanthe The Mikado HMS Pinafore Patience The Pirates of Penzance Ages Ago Haddon Hall Rutland Barrington Princess Ida Ruddigore The Sorcerer The Yeomen of the Guard Miscellaneous

Upcoming Events Please note that some meetings will be live on Sunday afternoons at 2.30 pm in Cross Street Chapel , Cross Street, Manchester, M2 1NL, and others will be on Zoom on Tuesday evenings at 7.30 pm. Please note, however, that the last meeting of the season — the Annual General Meeting — will be at 7.30 pm in Cross Street Chapel. Tuesday 3rd December 2024 at 7.30 pm on Zoom James Hurley, revival director of Opera North's Ruddigore , will enlighten us on this production. Tuesday 14th January 2025 at 7.30 pm on Zoom Our Vice-President Martin Lamb will intrigue us with an illustrated talk on ‘Gilbert & Sullivan and the supernatural in Victorian Art’. Tuesday 11th February 2025 at 7.30 pm on Zoom John Broad and Rosalind Griffiths share stories of their performing careers from their time in the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and beyond. Sunday 23rd February 2025 at 2.30 pm Our friends from Sale G & S Society will perform Trial by Jury in celebration of its 150th anniversary, and David Walton will share some thoughts about this gem of an opera . Sunday 30th March 2025 at 2.30 pm What are our top three G&S operas? John Coates will encourage us to share our favourites in the G&S canon. Tuesday 13th May 2025 at 7.30 pm in Cross Street Chapel Annual General Meeting. ​ ​