Vancouver, BC — The UBC Opera Ensemble, joined by members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and conductor Leslie Dala, are thrilled to welcome live audiences back to the Old Auditorium for four performances (November 4 – 7) of Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic operetta The Gondoliers.
THE STORY: Venetian gondoliers Marco and Giuseppe have chosen their brides: the young peasant maidens Gianetta and Tessa, respectively. When the two Gondoliers are approached by the Grand Inquisitor shortly after their wedding ceremony and told that one of them is the long-lost Prince of Barataria and must assume the throne, their simple lives are turned upside down. The noble Casilda is equally shocked to hear that her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Plaza Toro, married her to the Prince of Barataria when the two were just infants! As the mysteries and complications are unravelled, the situation becomes increasingly convoluted. Who is the new King of Barataria, and who exactly is married to whom? In true Gilbert and Sullivan style, The Gondoliers is a light-hearted romp filled with cases of mistaken identity, forbidden love, and oodles of fun.
THE MUSIC: From the Italian-inspired melodies of the Venetian gondoliers to the ubiquitous G&S patter songs, the music of The Gondoliers is sure to have you humming along. These catchy melodies are paired with clever turns of phrase to exude the trademark Gilbert and Sullivan charm, inspiring you to tap your toes to the tune and laugh along with the lyrics. Conductor Leslie Dala deftly guides the UBC Opera Ensemble and members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra to bring out the music of this delightful operetta.
THE PRODUCTION: Stage director Nancy Hermiston invites the audience to take a journey into the colourful romance that is the city of Venice, while members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, led by conductor Leslie Dala, immerse the audience within the lively jauntiness that endlessly marches on throughout Arthur Sullivan’s musical score. Jeremy Baxter’s masterful lighting design further enhances the atmosphere. Grant Windsor’s set design immediately whisks the audience away to Venice, and Parvin Mirhady’s exquisite costume design sets the scene for the whimsical world that is The Gondoliers.
THE CAST: The talented singers from the UBC Opera Ensemble have come to UBC from across Canada, the United States, and around the world. All roles are double cast. Marco will be performed by Gabriel Chona Rueda and Kevin Kiho Sohn, Giuseppe by Hans Grunwald and Pablo Romero Moreira, Gianetta by Rachel Buttress and Emma Jang, Tessa by Katie Fraser and Kathleen Isaza, The Duke by Connor Hoppenbrouwers and Max DD Smith, The Duchess by Mara Ayque and Alyssa Nicole Samson, Inez by Holly Duerichen and Carleigh Ross, Casilda by Sarah Anderson-Caufield and Hannah Ernst, Luiz by Jing Jiang and Wanshuai Yu, Don Alhambra by Jason Somerville and Philip Wing, Fiametta by Julia Coutant and Brittany St. Clair Gamble, Vittoria by Neusha Amir Rahmani and Carly King, Giulia by Kenda McDermott and Olivia Rapos, Francesco by Ming-Xuan Chung and Zhilun Liu, Antonio by Matthew Gorlitz and Max DD Smith, Giorgio by Raphael Groushvitski and Liam Robertson, and Annibale by Owen Glor and Kevin Liu.
The Gondoliers by Gilbert & Sullivan UBC Opera Ensemble conducted by Leslie Dala, with Members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra Sung in English with English surtitles™
The Old Auditorium, 6344 Memorial Road, UBC November 4, 5, 6 at 7:30 pm | November 7 at 2:00 pm
Tickets are available at http://www.ubcoperatickets.com or by telephone at 604.822.6725
By order of the Provincial Health Officer of BC, proof of complete vaccination will be required to attend this event.
Please visit https://chancentre.com/covid-19-safety-foh/
