No tolerance of undeserving rank and splendour': the Nineteenth Century through Gilbert & Sullivan
The comedy and music of the Savoy Operas has ensured they remain popular to this day. This course explores the social and political history of Nineteenth Century Britain through the comic operas of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Discover the witty commentary on contemporary Victorian society woven into the libretti. Uncover the thinly veiled satire of some of the plots. Learn what motivated Gilbert to write the operas, and...
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Dr Stephen Goss is a former lecturer in history at Queen’s University Belfast. A published academic, his area of focus is 19th and 20th Century British, Irish and European history, specialising in the Cold War. Previously a Life-long Learning Lecturer at Stranmillis University College, he is now an Expert Tour Guide at the Imperial War Museum and Churchill War Rooms, and has been a popular speaker in museums, historical societies, u3a, Probus, and the Women's Institute for over fifteen years. Stephen has also conducted policy and research for Campaign for Better Transport and writes regularly for a leading independent news and analysis site on Northern Irish current affairs.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/no-tolerance-of-undeserving-rank-and-splendour-the-nineteenth-century-through-gilbert-sullivan2963654No tolerance of undeserving rank and splendour': the Nineteenth Century through Gilbert & Sullivanhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/social-anthropology-1024.jpg239239GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/British & Irish history/Courses/vm/Courses in democracy, rights and representation22851177117816301368112285117711781653<p>The comedy and music of the Savoy Operas has ensured they remain popular to this day. This course explores the social and political history of Nineteenth Century Britain through the comic operas of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Discover the witty commentary on contemporary Victorian society woven into the libretti. Uncover the thinly veiled satire of some of the plots. Learn what motivated Gilbert to write the operas, and unmask the characters which were deliberate parodies of specific Victorian politicians and notables. </p><p> </p><p>This course does not simply provide context to the operas, but gives an insight into British society, culture, and world view in the Victorian era. Key themes include class structure, gender roles, the Empire, bureaucracy, the justice system, and the rise of popular culture. The operas' satirical treatment of institutions such as the navy and army, the legal profession, the aristocracy, and the political establishment offers a deeper understanding of the dynamics that shaped Britain. The course critically engages with the operas - such as <em>H.M.S. Pinafore</em>, <em>The Mikado</em>, <em>Iolanthe</em> and <em>The Pirates of Penzance - </em>examining how these works both reflected and challenged dominant ideologies of the age. If you enjoy Gilbert & Sullivan or are interested in Nineteenth Century British history - this course is for you.</p><p> </p>003098071No tolerance of undeserving rank and splendour': the Nineteenth Century through Gilbert & Sullivan239239https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/social-anthropology-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-04-20T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2027Culture, history & humanitiesHBH126239239No tolerance of undeserving rank and splendour': the Nineteenth Century through Gilbert & Sullivan191155239Stephen Gossno-tolerance-of-undeserving-rank-and-splendour-the-nineteenth-century-through-gilbert-sullivan/hbh126-2627<p>The comedy and music of the Savoy Operas has ensured they remain popular to this day. This course explores the social and political history of Nineteenth Century Britain through the comic operas of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Discover the witty commentary on contemporary Victorian society woven into the libretti. Uncover the thinly veiled satire of some of the plots. Learn what motivated Gilbert to write the operas, and unmask the characters which were deliberate parodies of specific Victorian politicians and notables. </p><p> </p><p>This course does not simply provide context to the operas, but gives an insight into British society, culture, and world view in the Victorian era. Key themes include class structure, gender roles, the Empire, bureaucracy, the justice system, and the rise of popular culture. The operas' satirical treatment of institutions such as the navy and army, the legal profession, the aristocracy, and the political establishment offers a deeper understanding of the dynamics that shaped Britain. The course critically engages with the operas - such as <em>H.M.S. Pinafore</em>, <em>The Mikado</em>, <em>Iolanthe</em> and <em>The Pirates of Penzance - </em>examining how these works both reflected and challenged dominant ideologies of the age. If you enjoy Gilbert & Sullivan or are interested in Nineteenth Century British history - this course is for you.</p><p> </p>0000-Available|2027-04-20 00:00:00-<p>The comedy and music of the Savoy Operas has ensured they remain popular to this day. This course explores the social and political history of Nineteenth Century Britain through the comic operas of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Discover the witty commentary on contemporary Victorian society woven into the libretti. Uncover the thinly veiled satire of some of the plots. Learn what motivated Gilbert to write the operas, and unmask the characters which were deliberate parodies of specific Victorian politicians and notables. </p><p> </p><p>This course does not simply provide context to the operas, but gives an insight into British society, culture, and world view in the Victorian era. Key themes include class structure, gender roles, the Empire, bureaucracy, the justice system, and the rise of popular culture. The operas' satirical treatment of institutions such as the navy and army, the legal profession, the aristocracy, and the political establishment offers a deeper understanding of the dynamics that shaped Britain. The course critically engages with the operas - such as <em>H.M.S. Pinafore</em>, <em>The Mikado</em>, <em>Iolanthe</em> and <em>The Pirates of Penzance - </em>examining how these works both reflected and challenged dominant ideologies of the age. If you enjoy Gilbert & Sullivan or are interested in Nineteenth Century British history - this course is for you.</p><p> </p>HistoryBritish & Irish historyvirtual191239155HBH126NONETue20/04/27 - 08/06/2710:30 - 12:3010:3012:308 sessions (over 8 weeks)85-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetStephen GossBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-04-20T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2027Culture, history & humanities239239No tolerance of undeserving rank and splendour': the Nineteenth Century through Gilbert & Sullivanno-tolerance-of-undeserving-rank-and-splendour-the-nineteenth-century-through-gilbert-sullivan/hbh126-2627<p>The comedy and music of the Savoy Operas has ensured they remain popular to this day. This course explores the social and political history of Nineteenth Century Britain through the comic operas of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Discover the witty commentary on contemporary Victorian society woven into the libretti. Uncover the thinly veiled satire of some of the plots. Learn what motivated Gilbert to write the operas, and unmask the characters which were deliberate parodies of specific Victorian politicians and notables. </p><p> </p><p>This course does not simply provide context to the operas, but gives an insight into British society, culture, and world view in the Victorian era. Key themes include class structure, gender roles, the Empire, bureaucracy, the justice system, and the rise of popular culture. The operas' satirical treatment of institutions such as the navy and army, the legal profession, the aristocracy, and the political establishment offers a deeper understanding of the dynamics that shaped Britain. The course critically engages with the operas - such as <em>H.M.S. Pinafore</em>, <em>The Mikado</em>, <em>Iolanthe</em> and <em>The Pirates of Penzance - </em>examining how these works both reflected and challenged dominant ideologies of the age. If you enjoy Gilbert &amp; Sullivan or are interested in Nineteenth Century British history - this course is for you.</p><p> </p>0000-Available|2027-04-20 00:00:00-<p>The comedy and music of the Savoy Operas has ensured they remain popular to this day. This course explores the social and political history of Nineteenth Century Britain through the comic operas of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Discover the witty commentary on contemporary Victorian society woven into the libretti. Uncover the thinly veiled satire of some of the plots. Learn what motivated Gilbert to write the operas, and unmask the characters which were deliberate parodies of specific Victorian politicians and notables. </p><p> </p><p>This course does not simply provide context to the operas, but gives an insight into British society, culture, and world view in the Victorian era. Key themes include class structure, gender roles, the Empire, bureaucracy, the justice system, and the rise of popular culture. The operas' satirical treatment of institutions such as the navy and army, the legal profession, the aristocracy, and the political establishment offers a deeper understanding of the dynamics that shaped Britain. The course critically engages with the operas - such as <em>H.M.S. Pinafore</em>, <em>The Mikado</em>, <em>Iolanthe</em> and <em>The Pirates of Penzance - </em>examining how these works both reflected and challenged dominant ideologies of the age. If you enjoy Gilbert &amp; Sullivan or are interested in Nineteenth Century British history - this course is for you.</p><p> </p>HistoryBritish & Irish historyconfigurable
16301178British & Irish historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/british-and-irish-studies1/2/285/1177/1178/16301/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/British & Irish history
