[Borges]

Sullivan wrote the only English music of his day worth talking about. He was certainly influenced by Donizetti and Offenbach but had a lyrical gift all his own. No one set English words to music better then did. No one.

[nopardons]

Sullivan's use of Offenbachlike and Donizettilike and Wagnerlike themes in the operettas was on purpose;especially the Wagnerian parody for "IOLANTHE".

All else,you are 100% correct on.BRAVO! :-)

[Happygal]

Offenbach's 'Orpheus in the Underworld' is one of my operetta favourites.

''To arms, Olympian divinities..to arms...''

I have such fond memories of that piece.

The way I am talking you'd swear I was an auld woman. I'm only 32.