My new favorite production!! I was wary when I saw the modernist set but it works beautifully. Excellent, clear singing and acting by the principals - and all 3 chorus groups were very nicely characterized, well sung and staged, and got laughs. Some have commented on the tempi - I am grateful to see clean, uniform choral singing at the correct tempi, which enlivens and does justice to Sullivan's music. The choral singing suffers in many semi-pro/amateur G&S productions - and is slowed down to accommodate the singers. This is how it should sound - bubbly and lyrical.
Breakneck??? These tempos are perfection, allowing full realization of the wonderful, transparent Sullivan orchestration. The peppy, “Here’s a first - rate opportunity,” was particularly invigorating (with or without vocals - all easily imagined during this gem of an overture).
Hmm. Great singing and playing BUT i feel it does quite miss the quaintness of the event. For instance, the set is ultra-modern. Have you ever been to Cornwall?
A delightful version. Best things, IMO (in order): Alison Chitty's minimalist but effective set, Claudia Boyle's voice and acting, Angharad Lyddon's voice and beauty, the solid acting and singing of the chorus, the timbre of Robert Murray's voice. Questionable (again in my humble opinion): The breakneck tempos the conductor chose for much of the overture and many of the chorus numbers. I dialed the playback speed down to .9 or .92, and found the appropriate tempo. :)
