The Savoy Operas were a new type of comic opera popularised in Victorian
England. Here are some of the most famous Savoy Operas, as well as the history
behind the revolutionary opera genre.
## Savoy Operas were a new type of comic opera
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/j0yDej3tRRg?feature=oembed)
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Savoy operas were a type of [comic opera](https://www.eno.org/discover-
opera/explore-more/beginners-guide-to-comic-opera/) to emerge in the late 19th
century. Its name simply comes from the theatre these new productions were
premiered in – the Savoy.
Today, the Savoy theatre is better known for its musical theatre productions,
but it was originally built in 1881 by English theatrical agent and composer,
Richard D’Oyly Carte, to specifically house [Gilbert &
Sullivan](https://www.eno.org/discover-opera/the-beginners-guide-to-gilbert-
sullivan/)’s comic operas. This made Gilbert and Sullivan the leading
exponents of Savoy opera, as well as the first to venture into this new[ opera
genre](https://www.eno.org/discover-opera/explore-more/a-beginners-guide-to-
opera-genres/).
[Learn more about Gilbert & Sullivan](https://www.eno.org/discover-opera/the-
beginners-guide-to-gilbert-sullivan/)
## Gilbert and Sullivan Savoy Operas
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Gilbert and Sullivan composed around 13 Savoy operas for Richard D’Oyly Carte.
This includes some of their most famous operas like [_HMS
Pinafore_](https://www.eno.org/operas/hms-pinafore/) _,_[_The
Mikado_](https://www.eno.org/operas/the-mikado/) _, Trial by Jury and_[
_Iolanthe_](https://www.eno.org/operas/iolanthe/).__ All these operas followed
a similar style. They were operettas which meant they were similar to a
musical in that they were a combination of spoken word and opera songs, even
being recognised as the basis of modern musicals you know today.
[Discover _Iolanthe_](https://www.eno.org/operas/iolanthe/)
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/CWo_3CIcTBQ?feature=oembed)
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They were also humorous and lighthearted, typically ending in a happy ending
to follow the components of a standard comic opera.
[Discover _Mikado_](https://www.eno.org/operas/the-mikado/)
However, towards the end of their partnership, [Arthur Sullivan
](https://www.eno.org/composers/sir-arthur-sullivan/)grew tired of composing
comic operas, and instead wanted to return to grand opera – a more serious
type of opera. This led to the creation of one and Gilbert and Sullivan’s
darker Savoy operas, _The Yeomen of the Guard._
[Read more about The Yeomen of the Guard](https://www.eno.org/operas/the-
yeomen-of-the-guard/)
## How many Savoy Operas are there?
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In total, there are believed to be around 33 savoy operas. Outside of Gilbert
& Sullivan’s significant contribution there were a number of other composers
who took the helm, all of which were specifically curated for the Savoy
theatre.
Basil Hood, a British dramatist, composed a series of Savoy operas including
_The Rose of Persia, The Emerald Isle_ and _Merrie England._ Arthur Sullivan
also traded W.S. Gilbert for other partnerships, including working with Sydney
Grundy on _Haddon Hall_ and F.C. Burnand on _The Chieftain_.
However, none of these operas have stood the test of time as long as Gilbert &
Sullivan’s works. That’s why over the years, Savoy operas have become
synonymous with the operatic duo, with many of the other composers sadly not
getting the recognition they deserve for their part in the opera movement.
## Savoy Operas were also known as English operas
[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rs3dPaz9nAo?feature=oembed)
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Savoy operas are thoroughly intertwined with the history of English opera. So
much so that they are also known as ‘English operas’. This is because they
were not only performed in a brand new London theatre, but their plot and
musical compositions were inherently British.
Savoy operas were often sung in English and created by English composers to
compete with Italian opera which dominated at the time. Their stories also
centred around English characters, particularly from history or members of
royalty.
For example, Major-General Stanley in Gilbert and Sullivan’s [_Pirates of
Penzance_](https://www.eno.org/operas/the-pirates-of-penzance/) is said to be
based on a real general, Sir Garnet Wolseley who was a popular character of
his time. However, thanks to one of the most famous opera songs in the world,
‘The Major-General’s Song’, Wolseley’s popularity will live on forever as a
firm fan favourite.
Related Content: Discover the Best Gilbert & Sullivan Songs