It has taken more than 30 years to research, but a St Andrews academic is to release the 'Bible' of the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan.

The Complete Annotated Gilbert and Sullivan, by Dr Ian Bradley of the University of St Andrews, includes details of new songs discovered in the last 20 years, the first analysis of the duo's first musical Thespis, and a summary of their effect on modern culture, including references to The Simpsons, Frasier, and The West Wing.

The study is the culmination of 35 years’ of research by Dr Bradley, who first released paperback studies of the subject in the 1980s.

Dr Bradley, principal of St Mary's College and Reader in Church History and Practical Theology at the University’s School of Divinity, said: "My first annotated edition of the most popular operas was first published by Penguin in 1982.

"Since then the work has expanded to cover all the operas and there have been numerous editions, for the last twenty years published by Oxford University Press, which have kept pace with new productions and the discovery of numerous lost songs which were cut before or shortly after opening night."

He added: "This massive new 20th anniversary edition for the first time includes Gilbert and Sullivan's first collaboration, Thespis, which has never been properly annotated before and incorporates much new material."

Active between 1871 and 1896, librettist W S Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan’s work includes the popular Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado and HMS Pinafore.

Dr Bradley’s new book reflects the success of the current international Gilbert and Sullivan scene.