Guest conductor Bill Boggs, Artistic Director of Opera Columbus, is an old hand at Gilbert and Sullivan.
In this secomd week of rehearsal for The Pirates of Penzance we saw a lot of elements come together, as well as a lot of work refining rhythm and timing.
Pirates is most known for the rapid-fire “Modern Major General,” which is a good example of the complexity Gilbert and Sullivan built into their productions. Baritone Bob Orth does a masterful rendition of this song—you are in for a real treat!
But the subtlety of rhythm in both music and spoken lines is equally important for other principals and the chorus. Gilbert and Sullivan, more than other types of opera, require more equal attention to wordplay and rhythm of dialogue as to music. Maestro Bill Boggs is attuned to theses subtleties, and it is a genuine pleasure to do G&S with him again.
The style of this production serves both to preserve the traditional D’Oyly Carte style but also reflect elements that keep the production fresh and lively to contemporary audiences. In theater terms, it has a bit of the music hall style of British theater, and a bit of the vaudeville style that helped shape the American Musical.
Sean Anderson (left) is an apprehensive Pirate King as Major General Bob Orth (right) assesses the situation of his giddy daughters. Indianapolis Opera resident artist Joanne Um (below) portrays one of the daughters, zooming in to speak to the General.
Since comedic timing (a la George Burns, Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett) is seldom taught anymore, it takes concentration for both principals and chorus members to get just the right rhythm and hit their jokes at the time. One beat different can make a huge difference in terms of effective comedy.
What has been most fun to see this week was the development of individual personalities among chorus members. They were under strict instructions to select individual names and develop individual personalities, along with stage business that reveals those personalities. These individuals add depth and credibility to chorus groups and help actors react believably to each other.
Be sure to look for a pirate accountant and a near-sighted butterfly-chasing daughter, who has named herself Hortencia (the perfect name for a Victorian version of a nerd). What a talented cast! See for yourself this Friday and Sunday!
Enjoy!
Last night I saw the final dress rehearsal of “Pirates…”. It is marvelously funny and well produced. The performers are truly talented and a joy to witness! Thank you all!