Sources of Gilbert & Sullivan Books, Recordings, and Scores

ABEBooks — a consolidated lists of books available from over 5,700 independent booksellers in several countries. The last time we checked, their listing included over 3,000 Gilbert & Sullivan Books, including some hard-to-get ones.

Active Musicians.com — a convenient source for the common commercial G&S scores.

Adam Matthew Publications - A facsimile microfilm edition of the papers of W S Gilbert from the British Library. Nineteen reels covering over 22,000 pages of material, including 29 volumes of manuscript plays and libretti, 1 volume of music, 3 volumes of sketchbooks and drawings, 8 volumes of diaries, 6 volumes of correspondence and 8 volumes of miscellanea and photographs. The price is £1,620/$2,470 or £85/$130 per reel.

Albion Music Reprints - Available again for the first time in decades, contemporary dance arrangements (Lancers, Quadrilles, Waltzes, Polkas and Galops) for piano based on the operas of Sullivan, Clay, Cellier, Solomon and German. For a full listing please write to 20 Burton Road, Carlton, Nottingham NG4 3DF. e-mail: albionmusic@hotmail.co.uk

Alibris. "The Ultimate Source for Used, Rare, and Hard-to-Find Books" Includes a large collection of books about Gilbert and Sullivan.

The Audio Encyclopedia offers CD's of old opera recordings in MP3 format (which must be played on your computer or one of the newer CD players which include MP3 playback). Using the MP3 format they are able to include many complete operas on a single CD-ROM. Order the "From Which We Came" recording. In addition to many other operas, it includes four accoustical recordings of G&S operas -- The Mikado (1917), H.M.S. Pinafore (1922), Princess Ida (1924), and Ruddigore (1924). The cost is $10.00, with free shipping in the United States.

Bagaduce Music Lending Library — if you don't want to purchase the scores, here is a great place to borrow them. They have G&S scores, and you can borrow them by mail at very reasonable rates.

Bookfinder.com — Surveys a number of of book sites all at once and provides a complete list. Much more convenient than having to do each one separately. Sites searched include Advanced Book Exchange, Antiqbook, YourBooks.com, Alibris, BookAvenue.com, and Bibliofind.

C20th — a selection of memorabilia for sale, ranging from theatre programmes to ceramics and including not only rare nineteenth century material, but also more recent items such as books, and souvenirs of D'Oyly Carte productions in the C20th. The independent work of both Gilbert and Sullivan is included, as well as some items relating to operetta by other authors and extra-curricular performances by D'Oyly Carte regulars.

Capriol Films — A SALARIED WIT — GROSSMITH, GILBERT AND SULLIVAN

From their press release:

If you have attended productions by the D'Oyly Carte company or, more recently Carl Rosa Opera and Opera Della Luna you will doubtless have enjoyed the incomparable Simon Butteriss in his performances of the G&S patter roles, which have enchanted audiences world-wide. For Capriol Films Simon has now written, presents and performs the definitive guide to the genius of George Grossmith, the Savoy Opera's original "patterman".

Chappells of Bond Street. Now at 152-160 Wardour Street , London W1F 8YA Carries the scores for all 13 G&S operas (Grand Duke is being reprinted and should be available in 2000), and is willing to ship them anywhere in the world. Their telephone number is 020-7491-2777 (International: 44-20-7491-2777), and their email address is sheet_music@chappell-bond-st.co.uk.

Christopher Browne's Gilbert & Sullivan Catalogue — Many different items, including books, libretti, sheet music, postcards, posters and recordings.

R.Clyde Music Publisher — A music publisher specializing in the works of Arthur Sullivan, with an emphasis on his non-Gilbert works. Offers for sale a vocal score and full score for Cox and Box, as well as the vocal score for The Zoo. In addition, they have for hire vocal scores and orchestral parts for The Chieftain, The Contrabandista, Cox and Box, Haddon Hall, and The Zoo. Also many other Sullivan works such as The Golden Legend, Overture in C, and Overture di Ballo.

The Costume Site — Hundreds of links to online costuming sources for historical, science fiction and fantasy costumers.

The Costumer's Manifesto - Costumes.org — Many hundreds of links to online costuming sources of all types.

Dover Publications Scores — They have available both vocal and full orchestra scores for Mikado, Pinafore, and Pirates in new editions by Carl Simpson and Ephraim Hammett Jones. Also vocal scores for 92 songs in "The Authentic Gilbert & Sullivan Songbook".

D'Oyly Carte Opera Company — The music hire library has available full orchestra sets for the 13 Gilbert and Sullivan Operas, and two piano editions for several of the operas. They also have librettos for the 13 G&S Operas, and D'Oyly Carte Opera Company recordings on CD.

eBay — Individuals auction items on-line through this service, and there are new items being offered every day. When you get to the eBay home page, go to their search page and enter the following in the search terms box:

gilbert sullivan -gables -genealogy

Then select the option to search both titles and descriptions and submit the search. Typically well over 100 different G&S items are listed at any one time. You can find additional items by entering the opera name(s). Be sure to put quotes around titles of more than one name.

49 North Productions

The Gilbert and Sullivan Note Card Collection is a unique and colorful collection. These sets feature all new, original, light-hearted creations by artist / director Tyson Vick. Note cards are available for all 12 Gilbert and Sullivan "full" operas. They also have a Special Edition Set of all 12 Title Cards.

The film A Source of Innocent Merriment documents a large group of children and teenagers as they audition, rehearse and finally perform Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado" in ten short but intense days at the Buxton International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival.

A second film, Oh Mad Delight, documents various performing groups as they stage productions at the Buxton Festival and introduces a cross section of people who are mad about Gilbert and Sullivan.

Gilbert and Sullivan Archive - We have over 2,000 MIDI files, located throughout the Archive, and a growing number of downloadable vocal scores, many of which are very difficult to find in printed form. The location of these scores is indicated by a special icon in the Opera Index, and on the Other Music by Arthur Sullivan page. In addition, we have available downloadable scores of most of Sullivan's songs and other shorter works.

Gilbert and Sullivan Shop Online — The Gilbert and Sullivan Shop Online searches the Internet to find 100s of G&S resources such as musical scores, libretti, CDs, audio cassettes, videos, DVDs, books, children's versions, performance aids, memorabilia, midi files, gifts and much more. By grouping them by format and opera and providing direct links, they will save you considerable searching.

G&S Works, Inc. provides affordable, specialized orchestrations to theaters that require a smaller orchestra for their G&S operettas. These orchestrations provide a rich, full sound from a smaller ensemble. Three orchestrations are currently available: "The Pirates of Penzance," "H.M.S. Pinafore," and "The Gondoliers."

J. C. Lockwood 78s 2 CD — This Online CD Shop combines offerings of Lockwood's own transfers of vintage recordings with Chris Webster's entire Sounds on CD Catalogue. Here can be found CD reissues of virtually every D'Oyly Carte Gilbert and Sullivan album from 1917 through 1957, as well as Webster's many miscellaneous recordings of interest to G&S lovers.

MMB Music, Inc. — Vocal and full scores of Mikado, HMS Pinafore, and Pirates of Penzance in newly engraved editions edited by Carl Simpson and Ephraim Hammett Jones. Simpson and Jones have also edited new Dover editions of Vocal and Full Scores that are handsome, popularly priced, and available from MMB. MMB Music has arranged special fees for the rental of orchestra parts for these operas. These rates are based on the duration of time the music is rented — regardless of the number of performances.

Musical Collectables — brought to you by the folks who produce the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Buxon, England, each year. Books, CD's, gift items, and videos (including The Gilbert and Sullivan Story with Robert Morley).

Musical Solutions — G&S MIDI Rehearsal Files — David Cookson's site includes MIDI rehearsal files for all the G&S Operas, plus Cox and Box and Haddon Hall.

Note₈ Music Typesetting and Publishing — Note(subscript)8 Music Typesetting and Publishing - specializing in Gilbert and Sullivan orchestra materials. Typeset conductor's scores and orchestra parts for Sorcerer, Princess Ida, and Cox and Box. Rental of manuscript orchestra parts for Pinafore, Patience, Iolanthe, Mikado, and Yeomen. Includes the hard-to-find conductor's and orchestra scores for Utopia, Limited.

Opus 1 Music — Exclusive North American agents for rental of "The Newby Scores" of the 13 G&S operas. The arrangements are scored for as few as 12 or 13 instrumentalists (or as many as the music director cares to include) and still maintain a balanced, artistic accompaniment. The "Newby Scores" have been used all over the English-speaking world and are frequently employed in the various International Gilbert & Sullivan Festivals.

Pattersong Music - Reduced orchestrations of The Mikado, Pirates & Patience are available for hire from Martin Paterson. These use just nine players, but keeps the flavour of the original score. Ideal for use in smaller venues where the full orchestra would be too expensive or too big.

Powell's Books - a million used books available for purchase on-line, including a number of Gilbert & Sullivan and related books.

St. David's Players (Cullompton, Exeter, England) — a good source for the rental of vocal scores and libretti of the more unusual operas, including Beauty Stone, The Chieftain, The Contrabandista, Cox and Box, Emerald Isle, Fallen Fairies, Golden Legend, Haddon Hall, Haste to the Wedding, His Excellency, Ivanhoe, Light of the World, The Mountebanks, On Shore and Sea, Princess Toto, and The Prodigal Son. Email Ian@kentisview.freeserve.co.uk.

Savoyard Books — Specializing in Gilbert and Sullivan and related books, scores, and recordings. Books from Amazon.com and iMVS. A special feature is their "Gilbert and Sullivan Rehearsal Files"

Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society — Offers a brand new orchestration of The Grand Duke. This is a completely computer-printed (in "Finale") score and was based on copies of the orchestra music that was contemporary with the 1896 premiere of the show. While not an academic "critical edition," they have made this score as accurate and complete as possible, and it is eminently playable. It clearly shows off the fun and relative complexity of Sullivan's final collaboration with Gilbert. They also have a CD and Video of the performance for sale.

Sheet Music Plus — The ultimate online sheet music source. They have over 336,000 titles to choose from, and they will ship to anywhere in the world. Flat rate shipping of $2.99 on all US orders. Use the search box below to find the music you are looking for, or go directly to our Gilbert and Sullivan Scores page.

Sir Arthur Sullivan Society — they have for sale online a number of recordings of Sullivan's music as well as librettos and their own publications on Sullivan and Gilbert & Sullivan topics.

Sounds on CD — Chris Webster transfers vintage records and soundtracks that are out of copyright to CD, as well as licensing and reissuing a number of master-based recordings. Current offerings include the Decca / D'Oyly Carte "Martin Green" Series and the "Peter Pratt" Series up to and including the 1957 stereo recordings of The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. Chris has also issued modern recordings by the Prince Consort of Sullivan's Non-Gilbert Operas, as well as many miscellaneous recordings of interest to G&S Lovers. Note: Chris has discontinued distributing his recordings himself. To obtain Sounds on CD issues please visit the J. C. Lockwood 78s2CD Online CD Shop at www.78s2cd.com.

Stainer and Bell Limited — Publishers of three books of Arthur Sullivan's songs. Can be ordered online, for shipment anywhere in the world, for £5.75 each plus shipping. We have provided a list of the songs in each book.

Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc. — The Tams-Whitmark Music Library, which is located in New York City, has available the original D'Oyly Carte Orchestrations for the 13 Gilbert and Sullivan operas, plus Cox and Box and The Mountebanks.

Thespis Score A complete score for Thespis is now available. Two songs have Sir Arthur Sullivan's original music, and the rest of the score was recently completed by Quade Winter. This version was enthusiastically received at its world premier by the Ohio Light Opera in 1996.

Treasures Rich and Rare — David Lovell's catalog of Gilbert and Sullivan related books, periodicals, sheet music, and collectables. Contains many items of interest to the serious G&S collector.

Trillenium Music Company and Tunbridge Music — Music publishers. Have their own editions of the conductors scores and orchestral parts for HMS Pinafore, Iolanthe, The Mikado, and Pirates.

Utopia, Limited Score We have a complete vocal score for Utopia, Limited available in the G&S Archive, prepared by Larry Byler. This version corrects the errors so prevelant in the traditional published versions.

Raymond J. Walker: Sullivan CDs and Vocal Scores — A series of CDs and vocal scores for those wishing to explore more of the background to Sir Arthur Sullivan's music. Includes facsimile vocal scores of Kenilworth, Cox & Box (full edition), Contrabandista, The Window, The Foresters, Cups & Saucers, Castle Bang, and Carrotina.

Wilfrid M. de Freitas, Bookseller — a large collection of Gilbert & Sullivan books and collectables, many for the serious collector.

WVD Press of Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania — Have published their own, "user friendly" new versions of the scores for Iolanthe, Trial by Jury, Yeomen of the Guard, Gondoliers, The Merry Widow (used by the Metropolitan Opera in both 2000 and 2001), Mikado, Patience, Pinafore, Pirates, Princess Ida, Ruddigore, Sorcerer and The Zoo. Full conductor's scores are available, printed on 11x14" paper, as are instrumental parts, in the standard 9x12" sheet music size.