GAGGING IN OPERA

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 244, 9 July 1921, Page 10

GAGGING IN OPERA

'To the Editor.) £{ r _The correspondence regarding gagring in “The Gondoliers" grows more interesting. I have before me. the word» of tho opera as printed in the Secon I Series, Original Comic Operas, written bv W. S. Gilbert,” published h Chappell and Co., New Bond Street, W. On page 20 Guiseppe says: Besides, we are open to conviction. Our views may Iw formed on insufficient grounds. Tney may bo crude, iltohgested s. ]’ve a very poor opinion of the ppl incian who 'is not open to conviction. Following this Tess", remarks to G anetta: "Oh, he's a fine fellow There is not a word about Tessa’s interjecting, "Yes, ihev’ve often been convicted. My copy of the book has no date showing when it was published, but it appeals to be the first, edition, and no ooubt the proofs were read by Mr. Gilbert himself He was very particular in such matters and even went tho rounds of the theatres io see that the words, as ho wrote them, were not interfered "i(h. The extraordinary thing seems to be that Mr. Stevens seems to have tee same hook, but it contains the interpolated words. Can it be that he has a second edition containing those "' ord sIf FO. they may have been inserted by the author as an aftortnoughf, though one would scarcely think so. Tn W case one must agree with your Clitic that there is litfle warrant for the alteration. —I AIK