Gilbert and Sullivan experts and enthusiasts have created numerous excellent videos, ranging from introductions to the famous due to in-depth discussions of their works and their impact on our culture.

These videos include discussions of Gilbert and Sullivan’s lives, both as individuals and as partners.  They provide perspective British society and the Victorian world of the late nineteenth century out of which Gilbert and Sullivan’s works came. 

Many of the videos illustrate what they are describing with wonderful performances of the works, including performances by the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.

They also discuss Gilbert and Sullivan’s significant role in the creation of modern musical theater and their pervasive, ongoing influence in popular culture.

A Beginner’s Guide to Gilbert & Sullivan and Musical Humor on the Works of Gilbert and Sullivan

San Francisco’s Lamplighters Music Theatre has prepared a couple of excellent videos, the first of which introduces Gilbert and Sullivan to “beginners,” while the second one explores Gilbert’s humor and Sullivan’s music more in depth for those who are already familiar with their works.

“Ever wonder what Gilbert and Sullivan is all about?  Want to introduce your friends and family to the granddaddies of modern musical theater?  Let Lamplighters Music Theatre take you through the whys and wherefores of our favorite music-and-lyrics duo!”

“If you are a fan of the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan, you already know that W.S. Gilbert’s song lyrics are hysterical and Sir Arthur Sullivan’s melodies can get stuck in your head all day.  But did you know that there’s an extra level of magic in Sullivan’s skill as a composer that elevates and compliments Gilbert’s libretti? Lamplighters Music Theatre talks to some musical experts to tell us how he did it!”

Gilbert and Sullivan:  Founders of British Comic Opera

Opera star Simon Butteriss presents a lively look at Gilbert and Sullivan in this excellent five-part documentary that explores their unlikely partnership, tracing their journey from Victorian theater to enduring operetta fame.  Performance excerpts and commentaries by experts illustrate their creative process and social context of their work.

From Thespis, to Trial by Jury

From The Sorcerer, to H.M.S. Pinafore, to The Pirates of Penzance

From Patience, to Iolanthe, to Princess Ida

From The Mikado, to Ruddigore, to The Yeomen of the Guard

From The Gondoliers, to Utopia, Limited, to The Grand Duke

The Lasting Legacy of Gilbert and Sullivan

Louis Robinson’s video discusses Gilbert and Sullivan’s origins in Victorian England, it’s long-standing place in British culture, with a particular focus on Gilbert and Sullivan’s pervasive influence in popular culture and modern musical theater.

Musical Theatre’s Most Iconic Duo – The Life & Times of Arthur Sullivan

In History Abridged’s lighthearted presentation, Jack Rackam tells the story of Gilbert and Sullivan’s partnership with Monty Python-esque cartoon illustrations and an alternate lyric version of the Matter Patter.