ABSTRACT

The delayed stay in Egypt led Arthur Sullivan into one of the most bizarre episodes of his life—an involvement in what was very nearly a duel. Baron D Atzel—described by Sullivan as ‘an Austrian swashbuckler’ and ‘a swaggering, half-witted, vulgar idiot’—insulted Farrer on club premises with an imputation of ungentlemanly behaviour. Sullivan joined parties which took the form of chartering a steamer to cruise on the Nile in two successive days—to Sakkara and to the Nile barrage. That Sullivan should have arranged for the company of two mistresses in Paris, on his way home from Egypt, seems almost inconceivable. Sullivan was about to lose a mother who—past her 70th birthday—had been the confidante of every stage and every aspect of his life. letter of Sullivan’s to Cellier, dated 29 October, gives the instruction: ‘Overture. Gilbert and Sullivan’s first new work in Carte’s new theatre was eagerly awaited.