The Gondoliers

 

 

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This is real Gilbert and Sullivan from witty conversation to great music. And of course the twists and turns of culture and educate. Almost a Greek play turns out one of two republican gondoliers is in reality the king of Barataria and that is just for starters . Keith Michell (also played in Ruddigore) as Don Alhambra del Bolero does not have a lot of stage time but a great presents.

On the whole this presentation was quite satisfying.

Song index
1. Introduction: Doulas Fairbanks, Jr.
ACT I
2. Overture and Credits
3. List and lean, ye dainty roses
(Opening Chorus: Contadine)
4. We're called "Gondolieri"
(Duet: Marco and Giuseppe)
5. From the sunny Spanish shore Te Duke of Plaza-Tor'
(Entrance of Duke, Duchess, Casilda, and Luiz)
6. That celebrated, cultivates, underrated nobleman, The Duke of Plaza-Toro!
(Song: Duke)
7. There was a time...for ever gone...ah, woe is me!
(Duet: Casilda and Luiz)
8. Not that there is no matter of doubt No possible doubt whatever
(Song: Don Alhambra)
9. Try we life-long, we can never Straighten out life's tangles skein
(Quintet: Duke, Duchess, Casilda, Luiz, and Don Alhambra)
10. When a merry maiden marries
(Song: Tessa)
11. Kind sir, you cannot have a heart our lives to Part
(Song: Gianetta)
12. Oh, `tis a glorious thing, I ween, to be a regular Royal Queen!
(Quartet: Marco, Giuseppe, Gianetta, and Tessa)
13. For Everyone who feels inclined Some post we undertake to find
(Duet: Marco and Giuseppe)
14. In yonder isle beyond the sea, do not forget you've married me!
(Duet: Gianetta and Tessa)
15. Entr'acte: Fairbanks
Act II
16. Opening Chorus
17. Rising early in the morning We proceed to light the fire
(Song: Giuseppe and Chorus)
18. Take a pair of sparkling eyes
(Song: Marco)
19. After sailing to this island... We are all once more on dry land
(Duet: Tessa and Gianetta)
20. Dance a cachucha, fandango, bolero
(Chorus and Dance)
21. There lived a King, as I've been told
(Song: Don Alhambra)
22. In a contemplative fashion And a Tranquil frame of mind
(Quartet: Marco, Giuseppe, Gianetta, and Tessa)
23. On the day when I was wedded to your admirable sire
(Song: Duchess)
24. Small Tittles and orders of Mayors and Recorders
(Duet: Duke and Duchess)
25. I am a courtier grave and serious Who is about to kiss your hand
(Gavotte: Due, Duchess, Casilda, Marco, and Giuseppe)

I recently worked with a local Gilbert and Sullivan theater company to put on "The Gondoliers," and it has been interesting to compare the live show with this particular film production. Opera World has done a surprisingly good job with this low-budget version; while the sound quality is still poorer than could be wished, the choreography and filming are infinitely better than those used in their disastrous rendition of "HMS Pinafore." Particularly outstanding are the performances of Don Alhambra (Keith Michell) and Marco (Francis Egerton). Michell's soft-voiced Alhambra is an interesting contrast to our own bellowing and confused one, and his cold condescension contrasts well with the boisterous Gondoliers and their wives; while Marco has less to do and say in the operetta than his brother Giuseppe, his incredible facial expression and quirky additions (such as the rose between the teeth during the Cachucha in Act II) give him at least as much on-screen presence. Giuseppe (Tom McDonnell) comes off as somewhat stiff and ill at ease during the first act, but begins to settle into his role during his aria "Rising Early in the Morning." The sound and choreography flag somewhat during the Duke's song "In Enterprise of Martial Kind," but are made up for in full by the charming Gavotte in Act II. Casilda and Luiz aren't given much to do, but they make the most of their time on screen with the lovely duets "O Rapture! When Alone Together" and "There Was a Time."

Musically "The Gondoliers" is one of Sir Arthur Sullivan's often-overlooked gems, and W.S. Gilbert's keen humor is as fresh and on-target as in his widely recognized works, "The Pirates of Penzance," "HMS Pinafore," and "The Mikado." While Gilbert and Sullivan are something of an acquired taste, for hard-core fans this production is still worth watching. If you are interested only in the music, I recommend buying a CD version instead; but if you're looking for something more, Opera World has produced a version which is quite satisfying.

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