Pirates can be a good thing!

Indianapolis Opera 1990 production of The Pirates of Penzance.

When we announced that The Pirates of Penzance was part of our season lineup, I could hear the audience enthusiasm even from backstage. The usual follow up response from patrons is that Pirates is just plain fun. And it has been for well over a hundred years.

Pirates is probably the most popular of Gilbert and Sullivan’s works in the US, largely due to the version mounted in 1980 by Joseph Papp as part of his Shakespeare series in New York’s Central Park, which later moved to Broadway. Because the cast included pop singer Linda Rondstadt, and because the production won several Tony Awards, it made it to television and video tape. This is the point of reference for most audiences.

However, the Broadway version of Pirates was much different from those mounted by opera companies. The biggest difference is that the singers were amplified so they could be heard over the orchestra, which—to the ears of opera fans—makes for distorted sound. I can remember one song by the chorus for which they turned off the amplification, and what a relief that was!

The other attribute of Pirates that makes it such a favorite is that the songs are familiar to most opera- and theater-goers. When Indianapolis Opera audiences hear these great melodies performed by this level of cast, they will have an even greater appreciation for the music.

While I am looking forward to hearing the whole cast (the chorus gets to have lots of fun here too!), certainly one performance to anticipate is Bob Orth’s rendition of the “Modern Major General.” Bob has long been a favorite of our audiences, not only because he has a fine voice, but also because his personality comes across on stage. Hand him the opportunity to do the music world’s quintessential patter song, and I think we will have a real treat!

This production will be a first for me, since I will be in town but not conducting. Usually when we have a guest conductor it is because I am conducting elsewhere. The calendar cooperated this time, with rehearsals falling in between a guest gig of Don Giovanni in Florida and the upcoming Faust that I will conduct in Fresno. While I don’t want to appear to be looking over anyone’s shoulders, I also know that I will feel compelled to show up at some rehearsals, simply because I can’t stand to miss out on the fun!

Guest conductor William Boggs is artistic director of Opera Columbus in Ohio, and a good friend. He and stage director Bill Fabris have done Pirates before to outstanding reviews. Bill Fabris is director and choreographer for the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, so we are going to see a tight, refined performance.

Are you looking forward to Pirates as much as I am?

Jim

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