Research Point: Word Settings (Rhythm of Words)

For this research point I decided to look at the word settings of the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. I've always liked their works and used perform one every two years at school. I also own the scores for Iolanthe and Princess Ida, which made this task easier.

In Iolanthe, one movement I've always admired is the 'Entrance & March of Peers'. Here, Sullivan writes a song in the style of a march and fanfare while perfectly fitting the words to the notes. More over, the rhythm of the words makes it feel remarkable natural, as the libretto was written with a pomp and circumstance style march in mind. There are also very percussive passages, with the tenors and basses singing words such as 'tantantara' and 'tzing boom' to create the impression of trumpet calls and drum beats.

In Princess Ida, the movement 'I am a maiden, cold and stately' is written as a dance for the three male leads. Again, the lyrics perfectly fit the style of the song whilst the correct emphasis is given to the text. Sullivan is also able to give bounce and a lightness to the vocal line, in keeping with the dancing theme. In contrast to this song, in Act III there is the song 'This helmet, I suppose' which Sullivan write in the style of Handel. Here, the rhythm of the words is few different to other songs in the operetta with much more emphasis on the vocal line and the style of the song than the word setting; there is much more use of melisma creating a very elaborate melodic line on to which the words are fitted. In his other songs, it feels as though Sullivan does it the other way round; he fits the melody around the intended rhythm of the words.

Equally, there are a lot of patter songs in their operettas; there is nearly always a comic baritone role to sing these parts. These patter songs are written to sound as though they are spoken, so the vocal rhythm fits the style of a spoken line. Not only are these songs perfect for getting through a lot of text quickly, they often have a comic element to them, creating a lighter movement to the operetta.