Great Barrington — Crescendo chorus and ensemble is concluding its 20th anniversary season with a semi-staged, costumed production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s one-act comic opera “Trial by Jury” in Lakeville, Conn. and Great Barrington on May 4 and 5, respectively. Christine Gevert and John-Arthur Miller will co-direct the chorus, soloist, and instrument ensemble.
Also on the program is a set of tunes Gevert has titled “The Trials of Love in the Spring!,” featuring the best bits from such Gilbert and Sullivan hits as “Patience,” “The Pirates of Penzance,” and “H.M.S. Pinafore.”
Much of Crescendo’s repertory appeals to the most discriminating geeks and scholars of early music. To wit, more than one professor of music was compelled to attend the group’s March presentation of Carissimi’s “Jephte,” a work seldom performed anywhere.
But aficionados of comic opera also have a place at Crescendo’s table, and the timing of this program couldn’t be better: Who is not prepared, in May of 2024, to laugh heartily at the hypocrisy of so many “respectable” individuals in positions of power? English librettist Sir W.S. Gilbert and composer Sir Arthur Sullivan specialized in lampooning such characters, and the continued popularity of their work is a testament to its universality, especially at this particular moment in American history. Crescendo Artistic Director Christine Gevert says, “Their works feature intentionally absurd plots in which authority and the rigid norms of society are cleverly made fun of, as the music combines elements of the parlor ballad, Victorian church music, and the operas of Donizetti, Bellini, and Verdi.”
The second half of the program comprises popular selections from The Mikado, Patience, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, Iolanthe, Ruddigore, Princess Ida, and The Gondoliers.
Cast highlights:
- Baritone Stephen Quint as The Learned Judge. Quint is a longtime New York Gilbert and Sullivan performer, described by New York Magazine as “a comedian: elfin, waspish, agile, and blessed with a pleasantly lean-textured voice that articulates notes and words with absolute clarity.”
- Based in Austria, soprano Rebecca Palmer plays the role of Angelina (The Plaintiff). The Boston Musical Intelligencer has described Ms. Palmer’s singing this way: “Impeccable technical aptitude complemented by smooth and mature tone, displaying a level of communication unparalleled among her fellow soloists.”
- Lyric tenor Igor Ferreira plays Edwin (The Defendant). Ferreira has performed in productions of “Carmen,” “Lucia de
Lammermoor,” “Porgy and Bess,” “La Traviata,” “Rigoletto,” “The Flying Dutchman,” and “Norma” in his native country of Brazil. - Tenor Kevin Ray has appeared as a soloist with the Metropolitan Opera and with opera companies in Portland, Arizona, and New Orleans. Opera News praised his “commendable style” and abilities with “subtle coloristic nuance.”
The program on May 4 and 5 begins with “Trial by Jury,” followed by “The Trials of Love in the Spring!,” consisting of excerpts from “Ruddigore,” “The Mikado,” “H.M.S. Pinafore,” “Iolanthe,” “Patience,” “The Pirates of Penzance,” “Princess Ida,” and “The Gondoliers.”
Here is the cast of “Trial by Jury”:
- Rebecca Palmer: Plaintiff (Angelina), Yum-Yum
- Christiane Olson: Ella, Mabel, Princess
- Margie O’Brien: Saphir
- Sarah Bleasdale: Buttercup, Queen, Angela
- Max Rook: Pitti-Sing
- Igor Ferreira: Defendant (Edwin)
- Kevin Ray: Nanki-Poo, Ralph Rackstraw, Hilarion
- Doug Schmolze: Duke
- Stephen Quint: The Learned Judge, Lord Chancellor, Major General
- John-Arthur Miller: Sergeant, Ko-Ko
- Joseph Klebanoff: Counsel to the Plaintiff
- Gabriel Garcia: Foreman of the Jury, Ko-Ko, Boatswain, Colonel
The members of Crescendo Chorus are Louise Brown, Kathy Drake, Emily Elliot, Peggy Heck, Sarah Melcher, Roberta Roll, Traudi Chiaravalotti, Debby Mark, Martha Nesbitt, Susan Pettee, Mary Sullivan, Gordon Gustafson, Joe Kolodziej, Richard Vreeland, Andy Kettler, Rene Milo, Tom Schindler
David Baranowski will be on the piano.
Kathleen DeAngelis designed the costumes and props.
Co-Director John-Arthur Miller specializes in Gilbert and Sullivan performance and is a longtime Crescendo soloist and section leader.
Hear Crescendo chorus and ensemble perform Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Trial by Jury” on Saturday, May 4, 6 p.m., at Trinity Church, 484 Lime Rock Rd., Lakeville, CT, or Sunday, May 5, 4 p.m., at Saint James Place, 352 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA. Tickets are available here.
