1842-1900. English composer who wrote
operettas in collaboration with William
Gilbert, including HMS Pinafore 1878, The
Pirates of Penzance 1879, and The Mikado
1885. Their partnership broke down in 1896.
Sullivan also composed serious instrumental,
choral, and operatic works - for example, the
opera Ivanhoe 1890 - which he valued more
highly than the operettas. Other Gilbert and
Sullivan operettas include Patience (which
ridiculed the Aesthetic movement) 1881, The
Yeomen of the Guard 1888, and The Gondoliers
1889.