Souvenir of Sir Arthur Sullivan, MUS. DOC., M. V. O.; A brief sketch of his life & works

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 Excerpt: ...to conceive the rage "Pinafore" created across the "herring-pond"; it was performed by any and every possible company, black as well as white, adults and children, and even church choirs were drawn into the craze. Speaking of its extraordinary popularity, Sir Arthur once wrote: "The play caught on in America and raged like a fever all over the States. In New York alone eight theatres were performing it at the same time, and the words were so constantly quoted that at last it was decided to impose a fine each time a phrase from 'Pinafore' was used in general conversation. My dear old friend, Frederick Clay, was in church one Sunday morning with the Barlows, one of the best known families in New York, and the preacher concluded a most eloquent sermon with the impressive words, 'For he himself hath said it!' Clay whispered into Sam Barlow's ear the continuing line, 'And it's greatly to his credit,' promptly took out half a dollar and silently placed it into Mr. Barlow's hand. It is perhaps," continued the composer, "a rather strange fact that the music to 'Pinafore,' which was thought to be so merry and spontaneous, was written while I was suffering agonies from a cruel illness. I would compose a few bars, and then-lie almost insensible from pain. When the paroxysm was passed, I would write a little more, until the pain overwhelmed me again. Never was music written under conditions so distressing." When the rage was at its height in America, in a newspaper of the time there is a notice to the effect that in one city alone a hundred thousand barrel-organs were built to play nothing but "Pinafore." "What, never? Well, hardly ever!" became a catch phrase of the most fearful type. One distracted editor fo...