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General G&S Trivia Quiz

A very general quiz about the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. This quiz includes questions about the operas plus some general trivia. Most people should find this quite easy, although there are a few more difficult questions too!

A multiple-choice quiz by sezaj. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
sezaj

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
203,013

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
388

Last 3 plays: Guest 195 (7/10), Dagny1 (10/10), Figgin (8/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What was Gilbert and Sullivan's first collaboration? Hint

Trial by Jury

Thespis

HMS Pinafore

Grand Duke

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Question 2 of 10

2. What was the first G&S show to premiere at the Savoy Theatre? Hint

Ruddigore

Patience

Iolanthe

Trial by Jury

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Question 3 of 10

3. What was the name of Sullivan's only grand opera? Hint

The Contrabanista

The Golden Legend

Ivanhoe

Yeomen Of the Guard

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Question 4 of 10

4. What was Gilbert's nickname? Hint

Shwenk

Bab

Gilbert

Arthur

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Question 5 of 10

5. Helen Lenoir was married to which of the astounding trio? Hint

Arthur Seymour Sullivan

None of them

William Shwenk Gilbert

Richard D'Oyly Carte

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Question 6 of 10

6. What item did Gilbert and Sullivan famously fall out over? Hint

A light bulb

A carpet

Seating

A telephone

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Question 7 of 10

7. What magic item was the main subject for one of Gilbert's scripts that Sullivan never set to music, despite his protests? Hint

A Magic Flute

A Magic Mirror

A Magic Love Philtre

A Magic Lozenge

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Question 8 of 10

8. In 'The Grand Duke', what must members of the conspiricy to overthrow the Grand Duke do to prove they are 'in on it'? Hint

Wear a carnation in their button hole

Shake hands with their left hand instead of their right

Eat a Sausage Roll

Sneeze loudly after greating each other and see if the other person sneezes back

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Question 9 of 10

9. Who is the only G&S charecter to be mentioned in another G&S opera? Hint

Little Buttercup

John Wellington-Wells

The learned Judge

The Mikado

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Question 10 of 10

10. Scaphio in "Utopia" and The Notary in "The Sorcerer" share the same age, which is the oldest declared age in the G&S canon. What is it? Hint

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 16 2024 : Guest 195: 7/10
Oct 22 2024 : Dagny1: 10/10
Oct 18 2024 : Figgin: 8/10
Oct 18 2024 : Upstart3: 8/10
Oct 11 2024 : PosterMeerkat: 9/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was Gilbert and Sullivan's first collaboration?

Answer: Thespis

"Thespis" was first produced in 1871 and was declared a failure after only 160 performances. This opera is rarely produced anymore as all the music was lost.

2. What was the first G&S show to premiere at the Savoy Theatre?

Answer: Iolanthe

Although "Patience" was the first show to be performed at the Savoy, "Iolanthe" was the first to have its premiere there. "Iolanthe" was also the first show to be lit entirely by electricity. The fairies all had small elecric lights on their costumes and some say that this is where the term 'fairy lights' comes from.

3. What was the name of Sullivan's only grand opera?

Answer: Ivanhoe

Not often performed today, "Ivanhoe" was said to be one of Sullivan's greatest works.

4. What was Gilbert's nickname?

Answer: Bab

Bab was the name Gilbert used when writing his poems - The Bab ballads.

5. Helen Lenoir was married to which of the astounding trio?

Answer: Richard D'Oyly Carte

Helen was one of the drivng forces behind the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, though not often credited for them.

6. What item did Gilbert and Sullivan famously fall out over?

Answer: A carpet

Gilbert was so angry about the amount of 'his' money spent on a new carpet for the Savoy that he eventually ended up taking it up in court. Sullivan sided with Richard D'oyly Carte and the famous 'Carpet quarrel' started.

7. What magic item was the main subject for one of Gilbert's scripts that Sullivan never set to music, despite his protests?

Answer: A Magic Lozenge

The Magic Flute is from Mozart's - 'The Magic Flute'
The Magic Love Philtre is from 'The Sorcerer'
The Magic Mirror is from Snow White.

8. In 'The Grand Duke', what must members of the conspiricy to overthrow the Grand Duke do to prove they are 'in on it'?

Answer: Eat a Sausage Roll

This is explained in the Ludwig's magnificent song 'By the Mystic Regulation' which to me, is one of the best songs in the show!

9. Who is the only G&S charecter to be mentioned in another G&S opera?

Answer: The Mikado

This is in "Utopia Limited" when King Paramount says "I am in constant communication with The Mikado Of Japan." This Opera also features the character 'Captain Corcoran K.C.B' possibly the same Captain Corcoran as in "Hms Pinafore", there is even a short reprise of "What Never? - Well Hardly ever!"

10. Scaphio in "Utopia" and The Notary in "The Sorcerer" share the same age, which is the oldest declared age in the G&S canon. What is it?

Answer: 66

For anyone who may have guessed 67 - in her song Constance sings that the notary is 67 'nearly' therefore he must be 66!

Source: Author sezaj

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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