PROVOCATIVE THOUGHTS: 
The late Patric Standford may have written these short pieces deliberately to provoke our feedback. If so, his success is reflected in the rich range of readers' comments appearing at the foot of most of the pages.
Richard D'Oyly Carte
To Richard D'Oyly Carte falls the honour of cementing the partnership of Gilbert and Sullivan. As an impresario he succeeded, except in an attempt to launch English grand opera. Born in London on 3 May 1844, his eventual success with G&S encouraged him to build the Savoy Theatre in London's Strand. It opened in 1881 with Patience. He died on 3 April 1901.