The Gondoliers

Congratulations to the entire company who presented this concert performance; a total team effort with everyone giving of their best, showcasing nuanced vocal talent, and mastering some challenging lyrics in this G and S production. Faithful followers of G and S, some I learnt had travelled far, filled the seats; they were not disappointed and clapped with great enthusiasm at the end of each Act.

The concert began with gifted accompanist, David Easto playing the overture. It was magnificent, one couldn’t hear anything else, the audience was engaged totally from the outset. Indeed, he worked very hard throughout the evening sometimes with a brisk and light touch. Applause erupted once more when MD, Peter Smith, emerged to take his position to conduct the strong ensemble on stage, which he did with enthusiastic zeal, ensuring speedy tempo was maintained, fine harmonies were supported, and the score faithfully interpreted. Congratulations too, to producer Julian Souter for managing movement well on a relatively small stage and wringing a sterling performance from each member of the company who took part. Individual members of the cast were well rehearsed and totally confident in their positioning with their facial expressions and gesture enhancing characterisations. Narrators Jane Souter (who also took the significant role of Tessa) and Vi Hurdley kept us abreast of the story and captivated the audience through lively delivery keeping us all engaged. Clear articulation, and voice adaptation conveyed a wide range of emotions which added authenticity to the story. Costumes were unelaborate but adequate. Men wore white shirts and sashes round their waists whilst women wore blouses and black skirts with belts round their waists.

The story of the opera began when several peasant women of Venice declared their passions for the handsome gondolier brothers, Marco (Stephen Harper) and Giuseppe (Mick Branaghan), who blindfold themselves to choose their brides fairly; eventually catching Gianetta (Sheila Smith) and Tessa (Jane Souter) which led to a double wedding taking place. The Duke (Julian Souter) and Duchess of Plaza-Toro (Nina Branaghan), their daughter Casilda (Sue Rogers) and Luiz (Gary Gentle), their attendant arrive on the scene. We learn that when Cassilda was 6 months old she was married by proxy to the infant son of the wealthy King of Barataria. The Grand Inquisitor, Don Alhambra (Mac Hammond), stole the baby to protect himself and the country. The king had been killed so the Ducal family had come to Venice to find his successor and proclaim Casilda Queen of Barataria.  Casilda and Luiz declare their love for each other though they realise that this must end. Don Alhambra revealed that he left the young prince with a gondolier who brought him up with his own son, also a gondolier, and now can’t remember which was which. Don Alhambra is confident that the nurse who looked after the two children would be able to identify the king, if necessary, under torture. When the gondoliers and their brides learn about the fact that one of them is a King, they declare themselves to be republicans who abhor inequality.  Agreement is reached that Marco and Giuseppe should run their court on republican lines jointly in Barataria but leaving their new brides and forgetting about them! After 3 months of separation the gondoliers are missing their brides but are delighted when their women suddenly appear to find out how they are getting on. They decide on a banquet and dance to celebrate their long-awaited honeymoon. Don Alhambra is shocked to hear the monarchy is being run on republican principles and plans to use a torture chamber to interview the nurse. The ducal party arrives, and Marco and Giuseppe tell Casilda that they are both married and Casilda tells them she is in love with another man. All is revealed when we learn that neither Marco or Giuseppe is king as the prince’s foster mother swapped her child and Luiz is the rightful heir. Luiz is hailed king with Casilda as his queen, a happy ending!

Julian Souter commanded the stage with presence and some humour in his role as Duke of Plaza-Toro and together with his Duchess, performed by Nina Branaghan, they delivered their parts with vigour. In role as their daughter Casilda, Sue Rogers, successfully engaged our attention; her delivery of ‘There was a time’ was sung  well with Gary Gentle, who had a soaring voice, as Luiz. Stephen Harper played with charm the role of Marco and together with Giuseppe, played by Mick Branaghan, sang with perfect clarity and harmony especially so with ‘Of happiness the very pith’ in Act 2. The production maintained a light heartedness and a degree of villainy with Mac Hammond in his role as Don Alambra where he delivered every lyric in his songs with his bass baritone and imposing vocals both in duets and group harmonies. Jane Souter’s performance as Tessa was vocally excellent, her diction sharp. I enjoyed her rendition of ‘When a merry maiden marries’ which she delivered with gusto and much expression. Sheila Smith’s singing in role as Gianetta was joyous as a soloist and a pleasure to hear when harmonising in a quartet, remarkably so in ‘In a contemplative fashion.’ Personal favourites of this production included Stephen Harper’s rendition of ‘Take a pair of sparkling eyes,’ which was beautiful and ‘Dance a Cachucha,’ which demonstrated the blended vocal excellence of the choir. The remaining members of the cast, including Christina Clifton who played Fiametta to perfection, Caroline Hammond who played Giulia and Sandra Morris who took the role of Vittoria, notably injected their musical talent and energy into this concert.

The concert ensured a very entertaining evening, and the audience went out with smiles on their faces. Thank you for inviting me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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