The Gondoliers

Our show for 2002 was The Gondoliers, which ran from November 13th to the16th including a matinee on the Saturday.  The programme notes explain:

Introduction

"The Gondoliers" is probably one of the two most popular of Gilbert and Sullivan's Operas (along with "The Mikado") - and yet it was written during one of their greatest arguments, and indirectly caused the other.
When Gilbert started to write the libretto for the Opera in 1889, the "Yeomen of the Guard" was just drawing to a close. Sullivan regarded Yeomen as being the best of their collaborations - certainly in terms of the musical opportunity it afforded him. Gilbert, however, pointed out that its relative lack of commercial success pointed to the audience wanting more comic opera. That started a row known as the "Cipher quarrel" (based on Sullivan's assertion that he was just a cipher during rehearsals), a row which lasted many weeks. Eventually the hatchet was buried, but part of the deal was that the music was to be more prominent - which is why The Gondoliers opens with a continuous cascade of music lasting a full 18 minutes.
The Gondoliers was an unmitigated success. However, the expense account for the show included a figure of £500 for front of house carpets. Gilbert was scandalised, and so began the "Carpet Quarrel", which resulted in them arguing their respective sides in the law courts.

The Opera

The opening of The Gondoliers is set in Venice, alongside the canals. The women (Contadine) are looking forward to the arrival of their two favourite Gondoliers, who have promised to choose brides. More by design than luck they end up with their two favourites, and all appear happy. However, by the usual multiple turns of any of Gilbert's plots, it appears that one of the two is actually the King of Barataria - an obscure Spanish island - and is needed there at once to re-establish Government. Unfortunately, the Grand Inquisitor, who reveals this to them, doesn't actually know which is the King and which the Gondolier. And since the King was married in childhood, that somewhat affects the marriage plans of the Contadine!
The Gondoliers go off to Barataria, leaving their women behind, and set up a Republican Kingdom, where all are equal and the two of them reign jointly. Despite that, they're all bored, and the unexpected arrival of the Contadine cheers them up no end. However, there's still the issue of which of them is actually the King. In true Gilbertian fashion, the answer is revealed right at the end, with the appearance of the nurse who looked after them in infancy.
So - that's all pretty straight forward, then!

The Performance

Took place in the Corn Exchange for November 13 to 16, including a matinee on Saturday.  I've also now added some video footage of the show - an extract showing "The Cachucha". It's in Windows Media format, as a 5.5 MByte file suitable for Broadband and a 870 kByte file, suitable for dial up connections.

The Show

The Principals