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English composer best known for his comic opera collaborations with librettist W.S. Gilbert, creating the famous Savoy Operas.Born in London to a military bandmaster, Sullivan was a prodigy. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music and Leipzig Conservatory. Initially acclaimed for serious works like his 'Irish Symphony' and the hymn 'Onward, Christian Soldiers', he achieved lasting global fame through 14 comic operas written with Gilbert between 1871 and 1896, produced by Richard D'Oyly Carte at the Savoy Theatre. Despite knighthood and prestigious appointments, he struggled to gain recognition for his serious compositions.

• Sullivan resented the immense popularity of the Gilbert collaborations overshadowing his serious orchestral, choral, and sacred works, which he considered his true artistic legacy.
• His partnership with Gilbert was notoriously stormy, marked by the 'carpet quarrel' leading to a near-permanent split in 1890, though they later reconciled for two final operas.
• Sullivan faced significant financial strain due to extravagant living and gambling losses, despite the operas' success.
• He was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1883, one of the first musicians to receive such an honor purely for musical achievement.
• Sullivan suffered from chronic kidney disease and died of heart failure following a severe bout of bronchitis at age 58. He is buried in St. Paul's Cathedral.