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Pirates
of Penzance a
Gilbert and Sullivan operatic classic
Dayton is about to be invaded by pirates. These are not modern
pirates such as loan sharks or mortgage brokers but the old fashioned
swashbuckling types. Fortunately, as they leap about swinging their
cutlasses, they also sing delightful songs. These pirates hail from Penzance, the Penzance in Gilbert and Sullivan's
teeming brains. W. S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan have created
a body of operettas that are timeless. Their classics - HMS Pinafore,
The Mikado and The Pirates of Penzance - stand astride
the musical theater and opera worlds. We have seen G&S operettas given by every kind of theater ensemble. When Dayton Opera presents a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, the experience is elevated to the near sublime. G&S works, "Pirates" in particular, are chock full of great music, lively comedy and cutting edge satire which loses none of its bite after nearly a century and a half. Dayton Opera will open its newest version of "Pirates" on
January 16 for six rollicking performances at the Victoria Theatre.
Impresario Tom Bankston always finds the key to his operas. In this
case, he has assembled a youthful, handsome and talented cast; their
enthusiasm is as bubbly as the music and song they will be presenting. Dayton Opera has a quartet of future opera stars as principals
in "Pirates" and as Artists in Residence for the remainder
of the season. Impresario Tom has "preselected" his stars of the
future. Giving them principal roles moves careers forward and gives
the Dayton audiences the joy of great performances. The principals are soprano Kristen Sharpley as the romantic ingenue
Mabel and mezzo soprano Nichol Larimer as the faithful nurse Ruth.
Baritone Dominic Aquilino will be the dashing Pirate King and tenor
Chad Berlinghieri the romantic hero Fredric. All four of these beautiful young artists are thrilled to be with
Dayton Opera, working with director Gary Briggle and conductor Jeffrey
Powell. They will all be handling comprimario roles in the March
Dayton Opera production of Rigoletto.
Comprimario roles this year, but they have their hearts set on the
principal roles in a future Rigoletto.
Hearing them, I can promise you that they will be there. "Pirates" will be another of our great "don't miss" opportunities.
There are some tickets available. Call 228-3630; sure, you can tell
them that Burt sent you. |
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