The Prodigal Son (Sullivan)
The Prodigal Son is an oratorio by Arthur Sullivan with text taken from the parable of the same name in the Gospel of Luke. It features chorus with soprano, contralto, tenor and bass solos. It premiered in Worcester Cathedral on 10 September 1869 as part of the Three Choirs Festival.
Sims Reeves, who created the title character
Sullivan conducts the Imperial Ode as Queen Victoria lays the foundation stone, 1887
Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan was an English composer. He is best known for 14 operatic collaborations with the dramatist W. S. Gilbert, including H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. His works include 24 operas, 11 major orchestral works, ten choral works and oratorios, two ballets, incidental music to several plays, and numerous church pieces, songs, and piano and chamber pieces. His hymns and songs include "Onward, Christian Soldiers" and "The Lost Chord".
Arthur Sullivan in 1888
As Chapel Royal chorister
Sullivan aged 16, in his Royal Academy of Music uniform
Poster: scenes from The Sorcerer, H.M.S. Pinafore and Trial by Jury