Gilbert and Sullivan Online Exhibit: Patience

Gilbert planned to write the next opera about two rival curates, a theme he used previously in a Bab Ballad. He subsequently changed the curates to poets and the resulting Patience, or Bunthorne’s Bride (1881) became a spoof of the aesthetic movement. The principal character, Bunthorne, resembled Oscar Wilde, and the opera seems inextricably associated with him. Five months after the London premiere at the Opera Comique, Carte successfully produced Patience in New York at the Standard Theatre. Once its success was assured, American producers felt free to stage pirated and burlesque versions of Patience, and regional touring companies were formed to bring it across America. Carte arranged an American speaking tour for Wilde, that coincided with the regional tours of Patience, thus acquainting audiences with the theme of the opera.

Carte, in his partnership with Gilbert and Sullivan, had long planned for a new theatre built especially for their comic operas. His resplendent Savoy Theatre opened in October 1881 and Patience transferred there from the Opera Comique. The Savoy would henceforth be associated with Gilbert and Sullivan---their operas would be known as the Savoy operas, and the original performers would be known as Savoyards.

[Program]. London: Opera Comique, [1881]. Original production of Patience.

[Souvenir program]. London: Savoy Theatre, [1882].

Original production of Patience. Illustrated with characters and scenes from the opera, and portraits of Gilbert, Sullivan and D’Oyly Carte.

[Souvenir program]. New York: Patience. New York: Art Interchange Press, [Dec. 29] 1881. Commemorates the 250th performance at the Savoy Theatre, London and the 100th performance at the Standard Theatre, New York by D’Oyly Carte’s Opera Company. Illustrations by J.E. Kelly.

Patience; or The Poet and the Milkmaid. Cincinnati: Peter G. Thomson, 1882. Color illustrations by H.F. Farney.

A book for children written in verse (not by Gilbert).

[Broadside]. [Auburn, NY: Opera House, May 5, 1882]. San Francisco Minstrels in Frank Dumont’s burlesque Patients; or Bunion Salve’s Bride.

W. S. Gilbert. Patience. San Francisco: Francis, Valentine & Co., [1881]. Libretto printed for the Melville Opera Company. Open to "The Duke’s Song."

The song was cut before opening night. This unique and early libretto contains the preproduction lyrics deleted by Gilbert. "The Duke’s Song" is present in the British license copy, but was never printed in British librettos, nor in other American librettos.

[Advertising trade card]. [New York]: N.p., (ca. 1882).

Oscar Wilde advertises Straiton and Storm’s Cigars.

[Cabinet photograph]. New York: Anderson, [1882].

Portrait of Lillian Russell in the Bijou Opera House production of Patience

[Program]. New York: Bijou Opera House, [June 1882].

John A. McCaull’s pirated version of Patience starring Lillian Russell.

Two Savoy Theatre ticket coupons, dated Jan. 10, 1882.

Balcony seats no. 68 and 70 with diagram of theatre balcony seating on verso.

[Program]. New York: Standard Theatre, Mar. 3, 1882. Patience.

R. D'Oyly Carte's Opera Comique Company.

The Pirates of Penzance

Iolanthe