On Shore and Sea

The final chorus, "Sink and Scatter, Clouds of War," was later renamed "The Song of Peace" and was played separately as a concert item.

The same year as On Shore and Sea premiered, W. S. Gilbert first worked together with Sullivan, on a burleque-style comic opera, Thespis.

[1] On Shore and Sea was finally professionally recorded in 2014, by Victorian Opera Northwest, conducted by Richard Bonynge.

[2] A review of the recording notes that the cantata and a companion piece, The Masque at Kenilworth, "emerge in good heart under veteran Richard Bonynge's life-ebullient conviction.

"[3] Near a small seaport on the Italian Riviera near 16th century Genoa, the fleet weighs anchor to the sounds of a joyous song of the sailors as they heave at the windlass and spread the sail.

Their brave declaration of their determination to sweep the Saracens from the sea is contrasted with the lament of the wives and mothers, sisters and sweethearts, left sorrowing on the shore.

The galley slaves rise up against their captors bolstered by their Christian faith and their love for their wives and mothers ashore.