Production history Patience (opera)

lillian russell patience @ bijou opera house in new york, 1882

the original run of patience in london, split across 2 theatres, second longest of gilbert , sullivan series, eclipsed mikado. original sets designed john o connor. first london revival in 1900, making last of revivals 3 partners (gilbert, sullivan, , d oyly carte) alive. @ time, gilbert admitted doubts whether æsthetic subject still appreciated, years after fad had died out. gilbert wrote sullivan after premiere of revival (which composer ill attend), old opera woke splendidly.

in british provinces, patience played – either itself, or in repertory – continuously summer 1881 1885, again in 1888. rejoined touring repertory in 1892 , included in every season until 1955–56. new costumes designed in 1907 percy anderson, in 1918 hugo rumbold , in 1928 george sheringham, designed new set year. new designs peter goffin debuted in 1957. opera returned regular place in repertory, apart break in 1962–63. late in company s history, toured reduced set of operas reduce costs. patience had final d oyly carte performances in april 1979 , left out of company s last 3 seasons of touring.

in america, richard d oyly carte mounted production @ standard theatre in september 1881, 6 months after london premiere. 1 of pirated american productions of patience starred young lillian russell. in australia, opera s first authorised performance on 26 november 1881 @ theatre royal, sydney, produced j. c. williamson.

patience entered repertory of english national opera in 1969, in acclaimed production derek hammond-stroud bunthorne. production later mounted in australia , preserved on video part of brent walker series. in 1984, eno took production on tour metropolitan opera house, in new york city.

the following table shows history of d oyly carte productions in gilbert s lifetime: