Wolfson poses the question: Why did the last two G&S operas (Utopia Limited and The Grand Duke) fail ? He finds an answer in the bitterness which soured the relationship of the collaborators after the Carpet Quarrel. He gives a detailed account of the creation of the two operas (particularly from Gilbert's perspective). His interpretation of what Gilbert was doing in the operas seems to me off-beam sometimes, but he provides us with much invaluable material which may help us to make up our own minds. He also reprints pre-production copies of the two operas, including a good deal of material missing from the versions which were eventually performed.
This review was written by Andrew Crowther. Savoyard Books is very grateful to Andrew for allowing the use of his work on our web-site.
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