Gilbert and Sullivan Archive His Excellency Lyrics by W. S. Gilbert Music by Frank Osmond Carr

Arthur Playfair as the dancing corporal.

Gilbert's comic opera His Excellency, with music by Frank Osmond Carr, was first performed on October 27, 1894, with a cast including such familiar faces from the Savoy as George Grossmith (as Griffenfeld), Rutland Barrington (as the Regent), and Jessie Bond. Most of the reviews praised Gilbert's libretto, but Carr's music was less popular, and the opera had a relatively short run.

• Plot Summary by Arthur Robinson

• Introduction by Clifton Coles

• Libretto, submitted to the Archive by Clifton Coles
  • Microsoft Word version (59K zipped file)
  • ASCII (text) version (131K file)

• Vocal Score:
  • Arthur Robinson has donated a copy of the original Vocal Score, Music by F. Osmond Carr. It can be downloaded as a single PDF file [18MB]
  • The vocal score for His Excellency can be purchased from Christopher Browne's Gilbert & Sullivan Catalogue.
  • Vocal scores and libretti of His Excellency may be rented from St. David's Players of Cullompton, Exeter, England. Send queries to Ian Bond at Ian@kentisview.freeserve.co.uk.

• Vocal Score.

• Opening Night Cast

• MIDI Files. A complete set of MIDI and MIDI Karaoke files for His Excellency created by Colin M. Johnson.

• His Excellency CD — advertisement for a CD of His Excellency with music by Terry Hawes "in the style of Sullivan."

• Photo of Jessie Bond as Nanna

• To Gilbert's Other Stage Works Home Page
• To Opera Index
• To Gilbert and Sullivan Archive Home Page

Updated 27 February 2004