Quote Reaction: Ralph Vaughan Williams about Sir Arthur Sullivan

While re-reading some of our material from Ralph Vaughan Williams, I came across the following quote mentioning Sullivan:

"We shall never know of the numbers of "mute and inglorious Miltons" who failed because the place and time were not ready for them…Was not Sullivan a jewel in the wrong setting?"


This quote is from National Music, and I have to say that at first it certainly rubbed me the wrong way.  One can hardly look at the career of Sir Arthur Sullivan and reasonably argue that it was the career of a failure.  Thirteen comic operas with Gilbert that are performed today, hymn settings and ensemble numbers that are sung regularly (including an alternate version of "It came upon a midnight clear" that is more popular in England than what we Americans consider the 'standard' version), a grand opera that was nominated for a Grammy award this year, societies around the world dedicated to his music...if only we could all fail so spectacularly in our musical careers.  I for one would LOVE such a failure.


Those were my initial reactions.  However, once that first instinct to defend Sullivan passed, I did recognize that Vaughan Williams was not disparaging Sullivan's compositions or his talent; rather, he was suggesting that Sullivan would have been better appreciated at a later time.  That is likely a true suggestion, as his works did look to the future.  His operettas, especially those with Gilbert, paved the way for the modern musical.  Certainly the audiences that loved Lehár and Romberg in the early 20th century would have been as supportive, or even more so, than the Savoy audiences of the late 19th century.


The concept of a jewel mis-set is interesting image, when you think about it.  He still shone forth, like a well-cut diamond would even in the worst of settings.  But, with a better 'setting', could Sullivan have shone forth all the brighter?  It is an interesting idea.  Certainly, there were points in his career when he felt that he was not realizing his full potential.  However, it is undeniable that he was successful, and used his talents well.  A specific example will be examined in the next post.