William S. Gilbert

Writer · 1836–1911 · Strand, London, England, UK

Biography

Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (18 November 1836 – 29 May 1911) was an English dramatist, librettist, poet and illustrator best known for his collaboration with composer Arthur Sullivan, which produced fourteen comic operas. The most famous of these include H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, and one of the most frequently performed works in the history of musical theatre, The Mikado. The popularity of these works was supported for over a century by year-round performances of them, in Britain and abroad, by the repertory company that Gilbert, Sullivan and their producer Richard D'Oyly Carte founded, the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. These Savoy operas are still frequently performed in the English-speaking world and beyond.

Wrote 61

2020s

2025
The Pirates of Penzance
Writer
2022
H.M.S. Pinafore
Writer
The Gondoliers
Writer
H.M.S. Pinafore
Writer
2021
The Pirates of Penzance: Live from Massachusetts
Lyricist
2020
The Pirates of Penzance
Writer

2010s

2019
The Mikado
Writer
2015
The Pirates of Penzance
Writer
2012
BBC Proms (2012): Gilbert & Sullivan - The Yeomen of the Guard
Writer
2011
The Mikado
Writer

2000s

2007
U.S.S. Metaphor
Writer
The Mikado
Writer
Iolanthe
Writer
2006
The Pirates of Penzance
Writer
The Pirates of Penzance
Writer
2005
H.M.S. Pinafore & Trial by Jury
Writer
BBC Proms: H.M.S. Pinafore
Writer
2001
H.M.S. Pinafore
Writer

1990s

1999
Topsy-Turvy
Lyricist
79
1997
H.M.S. Pinafore
Writer
1996
The Mikado
Writer
1995
Patience
Writer
1994
The Pirates of Penzance
Writer, Lyricist
1992
The Mikado
Writer
1990
The Mikado
Writer

1980s

1987
The Mikado
Writer
The Mikado
Writer
1985
The Pirates of Penzance
Writer
1984
Iolanthe: Gilbert & Sullivan
Writer
G&S: The Gondoliers
Writer
1983
The Mikado
Writer
The Pirates of Penzance
Lyricist
The Mikado
Writer
1982
The Pirate Movie
Opera
The Pirates of Penzance
Writer
H.M.S. Pinafore
Writer
Ruddigore
Writer
Princess Ida
Writer
Trial by Jury
Writer
The Yeomen of the Guard
Writer
The Gondoliers
Writer
Iolanthe
Writer
The Sorcerer
Writer
Patience
Writer
1981
H.M.S. Pinafore
Writer
1980
The Pirates of Penzance
Writer

1970s

1974
Trial by Jury
Writer
1973
The Mikado
Writer
H.M.S. Pinafore
Writer
The Gentlemen of Titipu
Story
1970
H.M.S. Pinafore
Writer

1960s

1968
Iolanthe
Writer
1967
Ruddigore
Writer, Lyricist
The Mikado
Writer
1966
Iolanthe
Writer
1963
The Cool Mikado
Story
1960
The Mikado
Writer

1950s

1957
The Yeomen of the Guard
Theatre Play, Lyricist

1930s

1939
The Mikado
Writer, Lyricist

1920s

1926
The Mikado
Writer

1910s

1918
Fan Fan
Theatre Play

Sound 15