Ultimate Gilbert and Sullivan Trivia Quiz

Answer: Schwenck

William Schwenck Gilbert wrote the words for all of their operettas. He was well known for writing 'patter' songs...very wordy songs that got faster and faster with each verse. The most complicated of his patter songs is probably 'The Nightmare Song' from 'Iolanthe'.

Answer: Seymour

Arthur Seymour Sullivan...his initials are A.S.S.! Sullivan was the composer of all of the operettas.

Answer: Thespis

Although not widely known, their first operetta together was 'Thespis'. This was followed by more successful shows such as 'Trial By Jury', 'H.M.S. Pinafore' and 'The Pirates of Penzance'.

Answer: H.M.S. Pinafore

'H.M.S. Pinafore' was the first out of these operettas to be written and performed. It tells the story of Josephine Corcoran, the daughter of the ship's captain, who falls in love with, and plans to marry, a humble sailor, Ralph Rackstraw.

Answer: Ko-Ko

In 'The Mikado', Ko-Ko must find someone to execute as soon as possible, otherwise he himself will be executed. Could Nanki-Poo, a wandering minstrel, who just happens to be in love with Ko-Ko's ward, Yum-Yum, be the perfect candidate for execution?

Answer: D'Oyly Carte

Gilbert, Sullivan, and Richard D'Oyly Carte first worked together in 1875 on "Trial by Jury".

Answer: The Yeomen of the Guard

'The Yeomen of the Guard' tells the story of the poor jester, Jack Point, and his bride to be, Elsie Maynard. Complications arise, however, when Elsie is married to a man who is supposed to die that same day. It is his dying wish to be married. However, in true G & S style, everything goes terribly awry when the prisoner escapes.

Answer: Cornwall

'The Pirates of Penzance' tells the story of Frederic, who falls in love with Mabel, the beautiful daughter of Major General Stanley. However, Frederic has been raised by pirates, a profession that the General doesn't quite agree with.

Answer: 3

'Princess Ida' is one of the few G & S operas to have more than two acts. It is one of the lesser known operettas, although it has some gorgeous songs including 'I Built Upon A Rock' and 'The World Is But A Broken Toy'.

Answer: The Gondoliers

'The Gondoliers' was considered by both Gilbert and Sullivan to be their finest collaboration. Including songs such as 'Take A Pair of Sparkling Eyes' and 'When A Merry Maiden Marries', 'The Gondoliers' contains some of their most well loved pieces.

Answer: The Gondoliers

Although they are two of the lesser known characters (minor roles), Fiametta and Antonio both have solo parts in 'The Gondoliers'.

Answer: The Pirates of Penzance

'The Pirates of Penzance' is one of Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular operettas. Edith and Kate are two of Major General Stanley's daughters, and sisters to Mabel. Samuel is a pirate.

Answer: Iolanthe

Private Willis is one of the characters in 'Iolanthe', a show all about fairies.

Answer: The Merry Widow

'The Merry Widow' is the only one of these shows that isn't by Gilbert and Sullivan, although it is an operetta. It was composed by Franz Lehar, who was born in what is now Slovakia, and spent most of his life in Austria.

Answer: Contralto

The part of Katisha requires an experienced contralto to sing her role, as some of her singing is quite low. The lead soprano part is Yum-Yum, the woman with whom Nanki-Poo is in love.