Tag Archives: Gilbert & Sullivan

Iolanthe Review – A Gilbert and Sullivan Masterpiece

Posted on August 11, 2013 by philip

Iolanthe is one of my favorite G&S operettas – in fact today, Sunday August 11 2013, with my mind reeling with scenes, music, and words from having attended the Lamplighters’ performance of this masterpiece both last night and this afternoon, I would rank it #1. Continue reading »

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Sorcerer Review – Lamplighters excel in seldom-heard early Gilbert and Sullivan opera

Posted on March 28, 2013 by philip

William S. Gilbert (librettist) and Arthur Sullivan wrote 14 operas together in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. The middle nine (in order of composition) beginning with Pinafore in 1878 and concluding with The Gondoliers in 1889 are still performed more or less frequently by amateur, community, and professional companies throughout the English-speaking world. Continue reading »

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Princess Ida Review – Lamplighters do it again

Posted on February 23, 2013 by philip

Last summer I ended my review of the Lamplighter’s production of The Mikado with a personal plea to F. Lawrence Ewing who had played Ko-Ko:

If you’re looking for professors who are sometimes not profound
Spare this humble essayist
By my readers I’d be missed
To hear you sing King Gama next I want to be around
To see you shake your fist
As a true misogynist
.   .   .   .   . Continue reading »

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Mikado Review II – Memories

Posted on September 24, 2012 by philip

I was raised on Gilbert & Sullivan.  Continue reading »

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Mikado Review I – Lamplighters Will Leave You Humming and Laughing

Posted on August 21, 2012 by philip

The anticipation began when I saw the first poster for the Lamplighters’ 60th season and found that they would be performing The Mikado here in Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.  Continue reading »

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Ruddigore Review II – Stanford Savoyards complete their afternoon of eerie fun

Posted on May 24, 2012 by philip

“What’s in a name?” asks the Bard.  A great deal, according to the appearance and actions of Richard Copperwaite, a welcome import from England.  Continue reading »

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Ruddigore Review I – Stanford Savoyards present an afternoon of eerie fun

Posted on May 24, 2012 by philip

Ruddigore is not as well known as some of the other Gilbert and Sullivan operas – which is a shame, because it is full of catchy tunes, clever words, and a comic twist to provide a happy ending.  I enjoyed the production at Dinkelspiel Auditorium on Saturday May 12 2012 so much that I went again for the final performance on Sunday.  Continue reading »

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Pirates of Penzance Singalong Review – Fun: Pure unadulterated fun

Posted on March 29, 2012 by philip

The fun began on March 11, 2012 when we read the program.  With a perfectly straight face we read:  Continue reading »

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H.M.S. Pinafore – A delightful bit of operatic froth

Posted on August 17, 2011 by philip

H.M.S. Pinafore hove into the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts this past weekend and it was immediately obvious that the “sober men and true” who sailed her were not exaggerating a bit when they sang, “Our saucy ship’s a beauty.”  Continue reading »

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Yeomen of the Guard – Gilbert and Sullivan as Grand Opera

Posted on February 11, 2011 by philip

There is a certain feeling of excitement mixed with fear when I go to see an operetta by W. S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan. My memories of past performances and great familiarity with the words and music lead me to expect an enormous enjoyment, and my fear is that with such high anticipations I will be disappointed in the result. For two reasons this mixed feeling was especially present the afternoon of February 5, 2011 as I sat in the theatre at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco and waited for the opening chords of the overture. Continue reading »

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