Arthur Sullivan - Reputation and Criticism

Reputation and Criticism

Cartoon from Punch in 1880. It was premature in declaring Sullivan's knighthood, but was accompanied by a parody version of "When I, good friends" from Trial by Jury that summarised Sullivan's career to that date:
"A HUMOROUS KNIGHT."
As a boy I had such a musical bump,
And its size so struck Mr. H,
That he said, "Though you sing those songs like a trump,
You shall write some yourself that will sell more."
So I packed off to Leipsic, without looking back,
And returned in such classical fury,
That I sat down with H and H and B,—
And turned out "Trial by Jury."
But W.S.G. he jumped for joy
As he said, "Though the job dismay you,
Send Exeter Hall to the deuce, my boy;
It's the haul with me that'll pay you."
And we hauled so well, mid jeers and taunts,
That we've settled, spite all temptations,
To stick to our Sisters and our Cousins and our Aunts,—
And continue our pleasant relations.
Yet I know a big Duke, and I've written for Leeds,
And I think (I don't wish to be snarly),
If honour's poured out on a chap for his deeds,
I'm as good-—come, as M or C!
So the next "first night" and the Opéra C.,
Let's hope, if you're able to find him,
You'll cry from the pit, "There's W. S. G.
In the stalls,—with a K behind him!'"

Read more about this topic:  Arthur Sullivan

Famous quotes containing the words reputation and, reputation and/or criticism:

    “The cultivation of literary pursuits forms the basis of all sciences, and in their perfection consist the reputation and prosperity of kingdoms.”
    —Marquês De Pombal (1699–1782)

    “From the moment a child begins to speak, he is taught to respect the word; he is taught how to use the word and how not to use it. The word is all-powerful, because it can build a man up, but it can also tear him down. That’s how powerful it is. So a child is taught to use words tenderly and never against anyone; a child is told never to take anyone’s name or reputation in vain.”
    —Henry Old Coyote (20th century)

    “To be just, that is to say, to justify its existence, criticism should be partial, passionate and political, that is to say, written from an exclusive point of view, but a point of view that opens up the widest horizons.”
    —Charles Baudelaire (1821–1867)