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Anglo-American Music Theater I

Research Project: Patter Songs Analyzed

MUSI 730 Anglo-American Operetta and Musical Theater I
Does It Really Matter, Matter, Matter: Analysis of Patter Song in the Operettas of Gilbert and Sullvian
Felix Polendey
Summary.
By definition, a patter song is a song that is sung at a rapid tempo where each syllable in the phrase is represented by one note. One could associate this rapid fire speech or song to a sales person competing for a commission with a co-worker, or the type of voice a magician would use to keep the attention of young children. This type of song is a staple in the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire. Through an analysis of eight songs from the Gilbert and Sullivan canon, I was able to determine two key motives for the composition and placement of these songs: musical structure and plot function.
The songs are:

“My Name Is John Wellington Wells” (Sorcerer)
“I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General” (Pirates)
“When I Was a Lad” (Pinafore)
“If You’re Anxious to Shine” (Patience)
“When I’m Lying Awake” (Iolanthe)
“Three Little Maids” (Mikado)
“My Eyes Were Fully Open to my Awful Situation” (Ruddigore)
“Dance La Cachuca” (Gondoliers)

I have grouped these patter songs into three different categories: list, narrative, and ensemble patter. List patter songs are more common. It doesn’t necessarily follow the plot of the story, and thus listeners are more likely to miss words within. Narrative patter is straight forward in that it is related to the plot. It is important to the audience that they understand and can comprehend the content in these types of patter songs because it helps drive the story. Through my analysis, I have also added a third category: ensemble patter. This type of patter was more prominent in the later works of Gilbert and Sullivan. They can either be list patter or narrative patter depending on its intent in their respective shows.
One key ingredient in the formula for this patter songs is the inclusion of George Grossmith. Mr. Grossmith was an amateur singing actor that made a living performing sets at various venues in London. According to his autobiography, A Society Clown, Arthur Sullivan had written him a personal letter asking him to audition for “a part in the new piece” he was doing with Gilbert. That chance audition had started a very happy collaboration between the three. Without Mr. Grossmith in the picture, would these patter songs have been composed in the same manner? One could only imagine the possibilities.

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