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The Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Manchester, is an appreciation society of the G&S operas. We hold a variety of events, including talks, concerts and study evenings. Our meetings are held monthly from May to October: some via Zoom and others live in central Manchester. 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)

Video/Audio Recordings Tuesday 13th January 2026: Jane Metcalfe, principal mezzo-soprano with the D‘Oyly Carte Opera Company 1975 to 1979, talks about her career both in the Company and afterwards. Sunday 5th October 2025: Our President David Mackie is in conversation with our Chairman, David Walton, and enchants us with some piano music. It is fifty years this year since David Mackie joined the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.

Upcoming Events Tuesday 10th February 2026 on Zoom at 7.30 pm "Red and yellow! Primary colours! Oh, South Kensington" Our member Raymond Walker, co-author of the scenic book Backdrop to a Legend: The Scenic Design of the D‘Oyly Carte Opera Company full of excellent images of D’Oyly Carte sets, has fresh historic and interesting Savoy photos to show. Sunday 1st March 2026 at 2.30 pm "he'll give you any further information" Our member Paul Taylor will entertain us with another of his popular evenings at an opera, The Mikado this time. Paul investigates the time in which it was written and details of interest about it. Sunday 19th April 2026 at 2.30 pm "with laughing song and merry dance" CELEBRITY CONCERT WITH PHOEBE SMITH. Phoebe studied at the Royal Academy of Music, and performs regularly with the National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company. Accompanied on the piano by David Wheeler. Admission: members £5, visitors £7 Tuesday 19th May 2026 on Zoom at 7.30 pm "What ought we to do?" Annual General Meeting. CLICK HERE FOR OTHER EVENTS

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 Sir Arthur 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

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

Yeomen of the Guard Click on a photograph to enlarge it. Click here to return to Gallery index

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 3rd April 2022. Postponed until 1st October 2023. 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

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 Trial by Jury Miscellaneous The Yeomen of the Guard

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

Trial by Jury Click on a photograph to enlarge it. Click here to return to Gallery index

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