HomeBy Dady CheryUtopia, Limited

Editorial Comment

Collaborators W. S. Gilbert (1836–1911) and Arthur Sullivan (1842–1900) composed 14 successful comic operas from 1871 to 1896, including Pirates of Penzance, and The Mikado, which were highly popular.

By contrast, Utopia, Limited, a prescient operetta about the dangers of corporatism, is fairly obscure. Utopia, Limited was only moderately successful when first performed, and it practically disappeared until the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company recorded it in 1975. It is one of the duo’s final operettas and dates from 1893.

The 1975 recording includes Limited Liability, sung below by Michael Rayner. Rayner began his operatic career relatively late, after stopping work as a Company Director and Sales Manager in his family’s car dealership. He joined the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1971, only after his first two years as a professional singer.

Dady Chery, Editor
Haiti Chery

Mr Goldbury’s Song ‘Limited Liability’ from Gilbert & Sullivan operetta Utopia, Limited

By W. S. Gilbert (lyrics) and Arthur Sullivan (music)
Sung by Michael Rayner
D’Oyly Carte 1975 recording

Poster of Utopia, Limited, courtesy of Wikipedia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4euNhxbGWs&feature=player_embedded#!

VIDEO: Mr. Goldsbury explains limited liability.

Limited Liability: Mr. Goldbury’s Song

Some seven men form an Association
(if possible, all Peers and Baronets),
They start off with a public declaration
To what extent they mean to pay their debts.

That’s called their Capital:  if they are wary
They will not quote it at a sum immense.
The figure’s immaterial — it may vary
From eighteen million down to eighteenpence.

I should put it rather low;
The good sense of doing so
Will be evident at once to any debtor.

When it’s left to you to say
What amount you mean to pay,
Why, the lower you can put it at, the better.

When it’s left to you to say
What amount you mean to pay,
Why, the lower you can put it at, the better.

They then proceed to trade with all who’ll trust `em,
Quite irrespective of their capital
(It’s shady, but it’s sanctified by custom);
There is something called stretch cheap cialis overnight reflex which the muscle has. The medicine is provided to you in three different sizes – Cenforce 50 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg. prices levitra The berries are extremely sensitive and must be frozen within 24 hours after harvest; if not purchase cialis the nutritional contents will be severely damaged. Bananas It’s not just because of their phallic shape that bananas are recommended for improving penis health. india online viagra Bank, Railway, Loan, or Panama Canal.

You can’t embark on trading too tremendous–
It’s strictly fair, and based on common sense–
If you succeed, your profits are stupendous–
And if you fail, pop goes your eighteenpence.

Make the money-spinner spin!
For you only stand to win,
And you’ll never with dishonesty be twitted.

For nobody can know,
To a million or so,
To what extent your capital’s committed!

For nobody can know,
To a million or so,
To what extent your capital’s committed!

If you come to grief, and creditors are craving
(For nothing that is planned by mortal head
Is certain in this Vale of Sorrow — saving
That one’s Liability is Limited),–

Do you suppose that signifies perdition?
If so you’re but a monetary dunce–
You merely file a Winding-Up Petition,
And start another Company at once!

Though a Rothschild you may be
In your own capacity,
As a Company you’ve come to utter sorrow–

But the Liquidators say,
“Never mind — you needn’t pay,”
So you start another Company tomorrow!

But the Liquidators say,
“Never mind — you needn’t pay,”
So you start another Company tomorrow!

Entire play available here.

Sources: Haiti Chery | D’Oyly Carte recording from 1975, You Tube (courtesy of thesafekind) | Wikipedia | Internet Archive Open Library

About Dady Chery

Dr. Dady Chery is a Haitian-born poet, playwright, journalist and scientist. She is the author of the book "We Have Dared to Be Free: Haiti's Struggle Against Occupation." Her broad interests encompass science, culture, and human rights. She writes extensively about Haiti and world issues such as climate change and social justice. Her many contributions to Haitian news include the first proposal that Haiti’s cholera had been imported by the UN, and the first story that described Haiti’s mineral wealth for a popular audience.


Comments

Utopia, Limited — No Comments

Leave a Reply