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Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers

Scottish Opera's sparkling staging of Gilbert and Sullivan's witty satire. Audiences are transported to Venice for a joyful production packed with some of the pair's most-loved songs.

One of the finest of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operas in a sumptuous production by Scottish Opera. Sunny, funny and with more 'tra-la-las' per square inch than any other opera in the canon, The Gondoliers is a joy from start to finish. This witty satire is jam-packed with unforgettable star roles, musical highlights and dancing, including numbers such as Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes, Regular Royal Queen and the Cachucha.

The Gondoliers is a charming poke at the appeals and pitfalls of rulership, privilege and cronyism. Two happy-go-lucky Venetian gondoliers, Marco and Giuseppe, discover that one of them is, in fact, heir to the throne of a distant kingdom. True to their (adopted) republican roots, they set off together to rule in idealistic if somewhat chaotic style.

Marco and Giuseppe have just chosen their brides, Gianetta and Tessa, when their lives are thrown into turmoil by the arrival of the grand inquisitor, Don Alhambra, who informs them that one of them has acquired the throne of the distant Kingdom of Barataria. The Duke of Plaza-Toro brings his daughter to meet Don Alhambra because she has been betrothed to the new monarch - whichever he is. No-one can identify which of the gondoliers is to be the king, so they both agree to go and rule jointly and according to their strict republican instincts. It’s a fine but exhausting ideal, as they find that ‘equality’ means they end up doing all the work themselves.

The Duke of Plaza-Toro, bringing his daughter, arrives in the chaotic kingdom, and after vain attempts to teach the monarchs decorum and judgement, the confusion and incompetence is resolved, and the rightful monarch is in place.

In a co-production by D’Oyly Carte Opera and State Opera South Australia, Stuart Maunder directs the production with fun, verve and taste, with Scottish Opera’s music director, Derek Clark, conducting one of Arthur Sullivan’s most attractive and affecting scores.

The designs are by Dick Bird, drawing on views of Venice by Canaletto and creating colourful costumes full of style and wit. Isabel Baquero has devised an energetic and boisterous choreography that matches the joy of the production.

Available now

2 hours, 16 minutes

Last on

Sun 4 Feb 2024 20:00
BBC Four

Clips

See all clips from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers (3)

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:00

    Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, James Christiansen

    Sullivan: The Gondoliers - Overture

  • 00:06

    Glyndebourne Festival Chorus, Pro Arte Orchestra: Sir Malcolm Sargent

    Gilbert and Sullivan: List and Learn, Ye Dainty Roses, From The Gondoliers

  • 00:15

    Thomas Edmonds, Robert Dawe, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, James Christiansen

    Sullivan: The Gondoliers / Act One - 6. We're Called Gondolieri

Credits

The Duke of Plaza-Toro Richard Suart
The Duchess of Plaza-Toro Yvonne Howard
Casilda Catriona Hewitson
Luiz Dan Shelvey
Don Alhambra del Bolero Ben McAteer
Marco Palmieri William Morgan
Giuseppe Palmieri Mark Nathan
Antonio Arthur Bruce
Gianetta Ellie Laugharne
Tessa Sioned Gwen Davies
Inez Cheryl Forbes

Broadcasts

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