Perhaps the most detailed musicological study of all of the compositons - not just the operettas - of Sir Arthur Sullivan. This is a relatively slim book, but it is packed with musical examples, analysis and commentary. This is definately a book for those with a musical education, a music theory book and dictionary or perhaps simply a Ph.D. in Musicology, is a good companion for reading Hughes' book.

The book analyzes Arthur Sullivans style, breaking it down into chapters dealing with musical forms such as melody, harmony, word setting, orchestration, etc. Copious examples in musical notation and snippets from scores, many from very obscure non-Savoy operas. (E.g. quotes from "The Zoo" which was still officially lost at the time of the original edition).

Hughes takes a very objective style, unusual for a books on Sullivan which tend be limited to the more prosaic descriptions of his operettas. He takes Sullivan to task for some of his failings (e.g. harmon! y) and praises him where appropriate (e.g. melody and word setting).

A unique and very detailed tome!