SIR WILLIAM SCHWENCK GILBERT is best remembered for his Savoy operas (produced at the Savoy Theatre in London) created in collaboration with Sir Arthur Sullivan. Before he began his association with Sullivan in 1871, Gilbert had made a repputation for himself with his Bab Ballads (1869) and several plays. His partnership with Sullivan began with Thespis; Or The Gods Grow Old (1871) and lasted twenty-five years through The Grand Duke; Or, The Stat;utory Duel (1896). Their collaboration finally collapsed after a long separation brought on by financial disagreement.