British composer Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900) is remembered for the operettas he wrote with librettist W.S. Gilbert, the best known of which are The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, and The Gondoliers, which are notable both for their humor and the sophistication of the interplay between their words and music. The Gilbert and Sullivan operettas are among the most beloved light classical pieces ever written and continue to be the staple of countless amateur theatrical groups dedicated to their performance. Although they brought him wide fame, Sullivan longed to be remembered for his serious music, a goal he failed to achieve.