Composer

:

Arthur Sullivan

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

Compose Date

:

1881

Publication Date

:

1881

Average_duration

:

85:21

Movement_count

:

26

Movement ....

"Patience" is an operetta composed by Arthur Sullivan with a libretto by W.S. Gilbert. It was first performed on April 23, 1881, at the Opera Comique in London. The operetta is a satire on the aesthetic movement of the late 19th century, which emphasized beauty and art for art's sake. The plot revolves around the love triangle between the milkmaid Patience, the poet Bunthorne, and the dragoon Grosvenor. Patience is in love with Bunthorne, who is the leader of a group of poets and artists known as the "fleshly school." However, Bunthorne is in love with Patience's friend, Lady Jane, who is also in love with him. Meanwhile, Grosvenor, who is also a poet and artist, is in love with Patience. The first act takes place in the village of Bunthorne's admirers, where the poets and artists are vying for Bunthorne's attention. The second act takes place in the castle of Lady Jane, where the love triangle between Patience, Bunthorne, and Grosvenor comes to a head. The music of "Patience" is characterized by Sullivan's use of pastiche, parody, and satire. The score includes a number of memorable songs, including "Twenty Love-Sick Maidens," "If You Want A Receipt For That Popular Mystery," and "Love Is A Plaintive Song." "Patience" was a critical and commercial success, and it ran for 578 performances in London. It was also well-received in the United States, where it was performed by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. The operetta remains popular today and is frequently performed by amateur and professional theater companies around the world.

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