Are (were) Gilbert and Sullivan really so bad?

[barber olly]

I'd be pleased to see G & S if I were on holiday somewhere and it happened to be on.
Somewhere like the Minack Theatre in Cornwall.

Not really something to collect on CD or DVD though. The orchestral music of Sullivan
is certainly of interest.

Last year I had the pleasure of seeing 'Hot Mikado' at the Minack. Wonderful modern update taking the 'Mik' out of G&S, with an excellent little Jazz Band and excellent cast. As one who normally dislikes G&S, particularly G, it was an excellent show. I often wondered what other Orchestral gems Sullivan would have produced had he not met Gilbert. Also his 'Long Day Closes' shows what a fine sonwriter he was albeit using someone else's lyrics.