What, ho! Another Gilbert and Sullivan production? I thought he had given up on them as out-dated, over-played, and uninspired? Well, sort of. While this production has a lot more to speak for it than the previous one of the series I encountered, The Mikado, I continue to look for a production of Gilbert & Sullivan that justifies my love of the genre.
One of the best things about G & S operettas are their ridiculously inspired Act One Finales, which seem to go on forever, involving every character and presenting twist after twist--both musically and in the storyline. Patience has one of the best Act One Finales, I think, and it's well presented here in a production that improves upon the staticness of the earlier production of the series I saw.
Part of the problem with this production may be the age of the cast. It's hard to believe Bunthorne or Grosvner as the apple of anyone's eye, when both performers are on the far side of 50. Even Sandra Dugdale, who enbodies the wide-eyed innocence and ample bosum of the title character, is a little long in the tooth to portray the role. But her singing is the musical standout of the cast, so I'll forgive. Kudos to Anne Collins as Lady Jane for accompanying herself on the cello during her Act Two aria, although Ms. Collins' voice lacks a bit of the contralto heft that I wanted to hear.
Patience or Bunthorne's Bride
Music by Arthur Sullivan
Libretto by William Gilbert
Based on a production by the English National Opera directed by John Cox
Cast: Derek Hammond-Stroud, Sandra Dugdale, Anne Collins, John Fryatt
Music by Arthur Sullivan
Libretto by William Gilbert
Based on a production by the English National Opera directed by John Cox
Cast: Derek Hammond-Stroud, Sandra Dugdale, Anne Collins, John Fryatt
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