THE WESTMINSTER SINGERS THE SQUIRE CELESTE OCTET
A SPECIAL interest, although a melancholy one, is lent to the Gilbert and Sullivan operas just now by the d struction of the old Savoy Theatre.
Built by D'Oyly Carte specially for them, it was for so long their own home that the operas are just as well known by its name as by their authors'. No doubt the new edifice which will rise from the ruins will show many improvements, but for the generation which heard its Gilbert and Sullivan in the original theatre, it is sad to know that almost nothing of it remains
Jhe Pirates of Penzance, the fifth of the long series, coming immediately after H.M.S. Pinafore, was not originally produced there, the theatre having been built only in time for part of the long run of Patience, the sixth opera. The
Pirates had its copyright performance at Paignton at the very end of 1879. almost at the same time that New York heard its brilliant first production, with such famous Savoyards as Jessie Bond. Rosina Brandram , and Alice Barnett all in the cast. In London The Pirates had a run of nearly four hundred nights, and has ever since maintained- its strong hold on the affections of music lovers everywhere, or at any rate of the Gilbert and Sullivan disciples, which is nearly the same thing.