Editing Gilbert and Sullivan (section)

====''Ruddigore''====
{{main|Ruddigore}}
''Ruddigore'' (1887), a topsy-turvy take on Victorian [[melodrama]], was less successful than most of the earlier collaborations with a run of 288 performances. The original title, ''Ruddygore'', together with some of the plot devices, including the revivification of ghosts, drew negative comments from critics.<ref>[http://gsarchive.net/ruddigore/html/appeal.html See the ''Pall Mall Gazette's'' satire of ''Ruddygore''].</ref>{{refn|Gilbert's response to being told that the two spellings meant the same thing was: "Then I suppose you'll take it that if I say 'I admire your ruddy countenance', I mean 'I like your bloody cheek'."<ref>Bradley (1996), p. 656</ref>|group= n}} Gilbert and Sullivan respelled the title and made a number of changes and cuts.<ref>[http://gsarchive.net/ruddigore/ruddygore.pdf "Ruddigore"], The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive, accessed 20 July 2021</ref> Nevertheless, the piece was profitable,<ref>[http://gsarchive.net/ruddigore/html/intro.html Information from the book ''Tit-Willow or Notes and Jottings on Gilbert and Sullivan Operas''] by Guy H. and Claude A. Walmisley (Privately Printed, Undated, early 20th century)</ref> and the reviews were not all bad. For instance, ''[[The Illustrated London News]]'' praised the work and both Gilbert and, especially, Sullivan: "Sir Arthur Sullivan has eminently succeeded alike in the expression of refined sentiment and comic humour. In the former respect, the charm of graceful melody prevails; while, in the latter, the music of the most grotesque situations is redolent of fun."<ref>Perry, Helga. [http://www.savoyoperas.org.uk/ruddigore/rud5.html ''Ruddygore''], ''Illustrated London News'', 9&nbsp;January 1887, Savoyoperas.org.uk, accessed 27 May 2009</ref> Further changes were made, including a new overture, when [[Rupert D'Oyly Carte]] revived ''Ruddigore'' after the First World War, and the piece was regularly performed by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company thereafter.<ref>Critical apparatus in Hulme, David Russell, ed., ''Ruddigore''. Oxford: Oxford University Press (2000)</ref>

Some of the plot elements of ''Ruddigore'' were introduced by Gilbert in his earlier one-act opera, ''[[Ages Ago]]'' (1869), including the tale of the wicked ancestor and the device of the ghostly ancestors stepping out of their portraits.<ref>Williams, pp. 282–284</ref><ref>Crowther, Andrew. [http://gsarchive.net/gilbert/plays/ages_ago/crowther_analysis.html "''Ages Ago'' – Early Days"]; and [http://gsarchive.net/gilbert/plays/ages_ago/times1881.html "St George's Hall"], ''The Times'', 27 December 1881, via The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive, accessed 3 April 2018</ref> When ''Ruddigore'' closed, no new opera was ready. Gilbert again proposed a version of the "lozenge" plot for their next opera, and Sullivan reiterated his reluctance to set it.<ref>Ainger, pp. 265 and 267</ref> While the two men worked out their artistic differences, and Sullivan finished other obligations, Carte produced revivals of such old favourites as ''[[H.M.S. Pinafore]]'', ''[[The Pirates of Penzance]]'', and ''[[The Mikado]]''.<ref>Ainger, pp. 265 – 276</ref>