Harry Benford's revised Gilbert and Sullivan Lexicon is now
available from Sarah Jennings Press (2222 Fuller Rd.; Ann Arbor, MI
48105-2313 / (313) 665-7410) for $20.00.  For Canadian addresses,
it's $25.00 Canadian, and for the U.K, 11. All prices include
shipping, handling, and sales tax.  (If you live somewhere else,
the price of the book is US$19.00, and shipping and all will be
billed.  Discounts are also available on orders of five or more). 
We're still working on a review, and Prof. Benford gave us a copy
to donate to some worthy library, so if you would care to help out
on either (putting together a review or nominating a library), let
the MGS know.  In the meantime, what we will say of the book is
that, if you don't have a copy of the first edition, this one is a
good one to have; and if you do have a copy of the first, don't
throw it out:  it's still a good one to have.

     The Benford Lexicon includes the libretto of the Bolton Rowe
(B.C. Stephenson)/ Arthur Sullivan collaboration The Zoo, which is
handy.  The text appears to have been taken from the libretto that
accompanies the D'Oyly Carte recording of the work, though it could
have easily have been taken from somewhere else.  Either way, one
thing that libretto lacks is a reference to a soprano solo that the
heroine was supposed to have upon her entrance.  According to those
who have put on The Zoo, a tune appears in the score, but no words. 
S/A Cole has heard one sung twice (at the West Chester/Basingstoke
conference of 1989, and at the Chicago G&S Society's production). 
Where the producers got the words is something of a mystery, though
the Chicago group is said to have written them especially for their
production.  Well, I've said all that to say this:  R. Clyde, Music
Publisher (6 Whitelands Ave., Choreleywood, Rickmansworth, Herts.
WD3 5RD England / Tel. Chorleywood (0923) 283600) now handles the
vocal score for The Zoo, and has included the soprano solo (the
flyer says, ". . .re-examination of Sullivan's manuscript has
revealed additional notes for the melodic line of the song No. 4
for the principal soprano, written faintly in pencil.  The number
can now be seen to be entirely regular in shape and in the form of
two similar verses.  The complete original melody of the song is
printed for the first time in this new edition of the vocal score. 
As there are no words for it in the manuscript or in the original
printed libretto, new words have been specially written for this
edition--and the song can once more take its place in performances
for the first time for more than 100 years."  The paper-bound score
costs 7.50, and the cloth-bound one is 25.00.  You might want to
contact the publisher for a US$ quotation.

[This item appeared in Issue 32 (December 1991) of Precious
Nonsense, the newsletter of the Midwestern Gilbert & Sullivan
Society.  Posted by permission of Sarah Cole, Society Secre-
tary/Archivist.  For information on Society membership write to: 
The Midwestern Gilbert & Sullivan Society, c/o Miss Sarah Cole, 613
W. State St., North Aurora, IL 60542-1538.]