Davies Symphony Hall (San Francisco, CA)
George Manahan of New York City Opera leads the San Francisco Symphony and guest performers in a whimsical, semi-staged production of Iolanthe. Gilbert and Sullivan's satirical operetta follows the fairy Iolanthe and her half-fairy son Strephon as they seek revenge against the forces denying Strephon the woman he loves -- by using magic to take over Parliament.
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
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The last date listed for Gilbert & Sullivan's Iolanthe was Thursday June 18, 2009 / 8:00pm. (view all dates)
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They did a good job of making the production fit the stage and I am amazed at how well the orchestra stage right followed the conductor with the ballerina fairies in the way . Cute idea to have the ballerinas dancing around - although in some of the scenes (e.g. love duet) they were distracting . I liked the way the chorus was stationed above the action so that it looked as if all the fairies were singing. Costuming, lighting and staging was great . Not sure the lighted hula hoops added anything but the hats were hilarious . Lots of British stars with the right style and accents . Lord Chancellor was excellent except for occasional mugging . Iolanthe (mezzo ) was my favorite - what a gorgeous voice and a fine actress . Phyllis was excellent - heavier soprano voice than I am used to in the part but wonderful singing and superb acting . Three soloist fairies were very good . Ararat and Tolloller did a fine job good voices - though I suspect in grand opera I would hear more of their real voices . So much was miked I wasn't sure what I was hearing . Nice voice for Strephon but he was having trouble with all the staging and dialogue he was asked to do Opening night jitters I am sure . The Fairy Queen sang and acted well even though she had some flubs and I kept worrying that she would fall as she seemed a bit older than the rest ofthe cast . Some of the tempi were taken a little too fast so that noone who didn't know what the chorus was singing would have a clue ( e.g. Young Strephon is the kind of Lout , Act I Finale . In fact , supertitles might have been a good idea . Still , I would definitely recommend to both G&S fans and the general public.
No supertitles.
No libretto in program.
Production did not work.
As always, worst auditorium in the world.
A wonderful evening of Gilbertt & Sullivan with a cleverly staged production featuing a talented cast supported by the excellent SF Symphony and impressive chorus (altho they had some problmes with staging and in aync). Cute corrps de ballet, beautiful costumes (some were cumbersome for the staging). Strongly recommend, even if you hare not a G/S fan!
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Website: http://www.sfsymphony.org/season/Event.aspx?eventid=27406
<p>George Manahan, conductor
Joélle Harvey, Leila - soprano
Sally Matthews, Phyllis - soprano
Joyce Castle, Queen of the Fairies - mezzo-soprano
Sasha Cooke, Iolanthe - mezzo-soprano
Ginger Costa-Jackson, Celia - mezzo-soprano
Katherine Lerner, Fleta - mezzo-soprano
Alfie Boe, Thomas, Earl of Tolloller - tenor
Richard Suart, Lord Chancellor - baritone
Lucas Meachem, Strephon - baritone
Paul Whelan, George, Earl of Montararat - baritone
Robert Lloyd, Private Willis - bass
Directed by Patricia Birch
San Francisco Symphony Chorus</p>
<p>George Manahan of New York City Opera leads the San Francisco Symphony and guest performers in a whimsical semi-staged production of Iolanthe. This 1883 satiric operetta savages a peerage that values birth over merit while entertaining with a love story of shepherds and shepherdesses, bluebloods and fairies. Along with bubbling music, we’re treated to jokes about deadwood politicians and gender battles.</p>
<p>Meet Richard Suart for an exclusive signing of his book, They’d none of ‘em be missed, immediately following the concert at the Symphony Store in the lobby.</p>
The San Francisco Symphony and Michael Tilson Thomas present more than 220 concerts each year from September through July in a variety of genres, with SFS musicians performing classical concerts, holiday favorites, summer pops events, free outdoor concerts, special series for families and children, plus presentations of visiting guest artists and orchestras from around the globe. The San Francisco Symphony also takes its unique style to audiences world-wide, touring nationally and internationally every year. The SFS is currently recording all the Mahler symphonies on its own media label and has recently launched Keeping Score, a national, multi-year, multi-media project bringing classical music to millions of Americans via TV, radio, the Internet and more.