W. S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan
Writer W.S. Gilbert & composer Sullivan were an 19th century English team who created many reknonwed comical operas including the Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore, and the Mikado, and they happen to be one of my guilty pleasures.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_%26_Sullivan
And here is a small excerpt about areas of conflict and touches upon thematic differences:
Quote:
Gilbert and Sullivan sometimes had a strained working relationship, partly caused by the fact that each man saw himself allowing his work to be subjugated to the other's, and partly caused by the opposing personalities of the two—Gilbert was often confrontational and notoriously thin-skinned (though prone to acts of extraordinary kindness), while Sullivan eschewed conflict. In addition, Gilbert imbued his libretti with "topsy-turvy" situations in which the social order was turned upside down. After a time, these subjects were often at odds with Sullivan's desire for realism and emotional content. Also, Gilbert's political satire often poked fun at the wealthy and powerful whom Sullivan sought out for friendship and patronage.