Arthur Sullivan, Haddon Hall, and the Iconic Mode

Authors

Michael Beckerman, Washington University

Abstract

In lieu of an abstract, the first paragraph of the essay follows:

In 1892 Arthur Sullivan without Gilbert, and with Sydney Grundy, offered the English public an "Original Light English Opera," entitled Haddon Hall,¹ in what had become the Savoy tradition. Although its eventual run of 214 performances was far less spectacular than that of Pinafore, Patience, or The Mikado, the work must be counted a popular and critical success.² The reviewer for The Daily Telegraph on 26 September 1892 said that ''the music of Haddon Hall remains among the best that bears Sir Arthur's name," while the usually acerbic Shaw later waxed almost ·ecstatic: "I contend that Savoy opera is a genre in itself; and that Haddon Hall is the highest and most consistent expression it has•. yet.· attained."³ This verdict has been sustained by numerous subsequent critics, who have especially noted that the musical score often rivals, and even surpasses, the ever-popular Gilbert and Sullivan canon.⁴

Recommended Citation

Beckerman, Michael (1988) "Arthur Sullivan, Haddon Hall, and the Iconic Mode," Comparative Drama: Vol. 22: Iss. 1, Article 1.
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/compdr/vol22/iss1/1