Gilbert and Sullivan refers to the Victorian-era theatrical partnership of the librettist W. S. Gilbert (1836–1911) and the composer Arthur Sullivan (1842–1900) and to the works they jointly created. The two men collaborated on fourteen comic operas between 1871 and 1896, of which H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado are among the best known.
Gilbert, who wrote the words, created fanciful "topsy-turvy" worlds for these operas where each absurdity is taken to its logical conclusion—fairies rub elbows with British lords, flirting is a capital offence, gondoliers ascend to the monarchy, and pirates turn out to be noblemen who have gone wrong. Sullivan, six years Gilbert's junior, composed the music, contributing memorable melodies that could convey both humour and pathos.
Their operas have enjoyed broad and enduring international success and are still performed frequently throughout the English-speaking world. Gilbert and Sullivan introduced innovations in content and form that directly influenced the development of musical theatre through the 20th century. The operas have also influenced political discourse, literature, film and television and have been widely parodied and pastiched by humourists. Producer Richard D'Oyly Carte brought Gilbert and Sullivan together and nurtured their collaboration. He built the Savoy Theatre in 1881 to present their joint works (which came to be known as the Savoy Operas) and founded the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, which performed and promoted Gilbert and Sullivan's works for over a century.
Hush hush or hush-hush may refer to any of the following:
"Hush Hush; Hush Hush" is a song by American female group The Pussycat Dolls from their final and second studio album, Doll Domination (2008). Written by Nicole Scherzinger, Andreas Romdhane, Josef Larossi, Ina Wroldsen, Dino Fekaris, Frederik Perren and produced by Quiz & LaRossi and Dave Audé for the remixed version, it was released as the album's sixth and final single on May 12, 2009. Lead and background vocals for both versions of the song are performed solely by lead singer Nicole Scherzinger. The release caused controversy as the single was credited as "Pussycat Dolls featuring Nicole Scherzinger" which caused tension within the group and rumored that Scherzinger would be going solo.
The song was originally a slow ballad, but was remade into an uptempo, disco-inspired dance song sampling parts of Gloria Gaynor's 1978 hit "I Will Survive". Lyrically, the song is about a strong woman who laments of the death of her relationship and never asks help from her lover. The "post-breakup anthem", received mixed reviews by critics who noted that it lacked the R&B edge of "Don't Cha" and "When I Grow Up" while others noted it's better than the original version.
"Hush Hush" is a song by American recording artist Alexis Jordan, taken from her self-titled debut album (2011). It was released as the album's third single on June 10, 2011. The dance-pop song was written by Autumn Rowe, Petr Brdičko, Stargate and Sandy Vee. Alexis called the song "feisty" and that it was a song that "unleashes a fiery side of her personality".
Speaking in May 2011 to urban writer Pete Lewis of Blues & Soul, Jordan described the lyrical background to the song: "It's really dealing with the situation where - if you've been hurt, or someone's treated you wrong or cheated on you in a relationship - you're basically saying 'Be quiet! I don't wanna hear it! I'm gonna move ON!'... So what I particularly liked about the song is that it's a very powerful statement for anybody who's been in that kind of situation."
"Hush Hush" is written by Autumn Rowe, Petr Brdičko, StarGate and Sandy Vee, and it was produced by Stargate and Sandy Vee. When premiering the song with Digital Spy, Jordan discussed the song. "The thing I love about this track is that it has a dance beat that is irresistible. You can't not dance to it! It's also quite fierce and feisty, but in a fun and positive way." Discussing the recording process of the record, she insisted: "It was a very calm and fun process. I was always in the studio smiling! It was something that I felt so blessed to be doing - it never felt like a chore. I am thankful to the whole team around me though, we mesh very well together."
Three little maids from school are we
Pert as a school-girl well can be
Filled to the brim with girlish glee
Three little maids from school
Everything is a source of fun
Nobody's safe, for we care for none
Life is a joke that's just begun
Three little maids from school
Three little maids who, all unwary
Come from a ladies' seminary
Freed from its genius tutelary
Three little maids from school
Three little maids from school
One little maid is a bride, Yum-Yum
Two little maids in attendance come
Three little maids is the total sum
Three little maids from school
Three little maids from school
From three little maids take one away
Two little maids remain, and they
Won't have to wait very long, they say
Three little maids from school
Three little maids from school
Three little maids who, all unwary
Come from a ladies' seminary
Freed from its genius tutelary
Three little maids from school