I am completely stunned! This was my very first performance with the University of Texas Opera Theater in 1976. I was looking around for a recording because I hadn't heard it since, and HERE IT IS. I am the chorister in the navy coat.
Like the energy. That’s the most important thing to put this over. What I always loved about this one was that the jury is biased, the court officials instruct against the defendant, the judge has no business on this kind of case, they are all likely to have done the same thing, and the whole procedure is designed to railroad the defendant ( to use a USA term). But despite all that, we can see the defendant is guilty! Gilbert spared no one.
Don't forget that the plaintiff is a venal poseur that pretends to be heartbroken in order to squeeze as much money out of her ex as possible. She's cynical, but the judge is an amoral cad, too, so they perfectly deserve each other.
Just watched this, and was very impressed. It’s good when a complete cast (principals and chorus) articulates every word so that each is sung clearly, with good crisp diction, something which doesn’t always happen. Pronunciation was good throughout. Blocking was excellent, and characterisation was spot on; I particularly liked the individuality of the jury members. It was a bonus to see that the Italian opera parody, “A Nice Dilemma,” was performed at a sensible tempo so that its important chorus part wasn’t overpowered by the principals-too many productions tear through it as if it’s a race to the finish, which also muddies the important work of the chorus. Overall, a memorable production, with wit, clarity and vigour. Well done!
Addressing the (very few) negative comments: for heaven's sake, this is a college production! If you want D'Oyly Carte, watch those videos instead. With all respect to that venerable institution, I found this video quite as good, in a different way. It is wonderful to see new, young singers embrace this genre. As a veteran singer (meaning, years and years ago) in most of the G&S works, I found this production fresh, funny, and handled very well. Any rough edges are overshadowed entirely by the enthusiasm and talent shown here, and a couple of tenors show great potential. Well done!!
Fully agreed. The kids were spot on, and the direction kept the individual and collective performances within their boundaries. The result is appealing, charming and - most importantly - SUCCESSFUL!
Excellent performance! Love the '70s makeup and threads, too. I'm surprised that all these folks aren't famous -- they are all extremely talented. I will be singing the part of the Foreman in an upcoming performance, and this video helped me a great deal. Thank you for posting it.
This production just oozes professionalism - like a super long Monty Python sketch. It's funny, the words are clear, and despite being accompanied by just a piano rather than a full orchestra, is really a joy to listen to. Everyone involved should be proud!
I'm busy rehearsing for a concert version of this, for both the orchestra and chorus parts, although on the night I shall be singing it. This is an excellent production with a very capable cast so well done.
Your sense of humor helps to make this piece sparkle and I wish you had directed other operettas. An amateur performance this clearly was not. It's much funnier than all others I've seen and the acting, singing and direction were first rate.
Thank you for your kind words. The performers were students of the Opera Dept. at The University of Texas at Austin. They did a stage version of the operetta first which was directed by Dennis Wakeling, PhD., a faculty member of the dept. He deserves the credit for the overall "tone." I adapted the blocking for television and made some small changes to the acting here and there, but again, Dennis Wakeling provided to foundation.
Here, here. I have remembered this production for over 40 years. I cannot tell you how uncanny it is to see my 18-year-old self. I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the finest directors around since then, but I never had more fun!
Absolutely beautiful singing and acting. Angelina is stunningly beautiful and I could never have resisted her had she been in the operettas I sang in when I was in my twenties. the other ladies are also all beautiful, the harmony is great, the timing of the pieces is perfect. Now at the age of 78 I am sitting at my easel and painting and playing this operetta over and over. A wonderful delight Barrie Chadwick SFCA Architect / Artist December 24 2015
I am an oldie - my very first opera was this at the Princes Theatre in London in 1940 during the Battle of Britain! I have loved opera ever since and along the way, have watched your production 3 times and admired it hugely. I would love to know how some of the singers have got on - The Usher in particular - wow - but they were all good (Tiny point - British lawyers are by tradition clean shaven!). I would love to see your latest operas - well done Austin. Jim Selway
I think I've got your solution for you. Leave a comment underneath this video, about your search for David Lynn. One of the older members of Gilbert & Sullivan Austin, is sure to know what happened to him - m.ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-U1k29QEd_N0.html
Thank you for your kind words. Check out the description at the Playlist ru-vid.com/group/PLYyQBfB-sRfuc-80BuEr2UM-9TM_08EMb My Dad was a great lover of G&S and as I considered projects for my masters thesis, I wanted something that would help me get hired within PBS. I wanted something in the public domain so that if it turned out well enough, it could be aired on TV which would further boost my credentials. The shortness of the piece made it mangeable, and my biggest piece of fortune was to connect with the UT Opera Dept and convince them to participate in a trade-out. They agreed to put on the operetta in the spring series, and I agreed to build their set. In exchange, they agreed to do it for me at the UT TV studios. Opera on TV was just beginning to blossom on PBS at that time and the faculty saw the value the students would get from getting some tv experience. All credit goes to Dr. Walter DuCloux, chair of the department who saw the possibilities, believed in me, and agreed. His staff, including Dr. Dennis Wakeling, who directed the stage production, were fantastic. Some projects take on a life of their own and go beyond expectations. This certainly was one of those joys.
In South Australia there has been a tradition every couple of years of performing this in an actual Court. This energetic version would fit well. Well done. Great to hear such a tight ensemble cast. But you should use a mandolin!!! Piano accompanist is terrific. Judge (which I have sung myself) is almost as good as me! Well done
The G+S courtroom scenes aren't so far from Lewis Carroll. Must have been something in the air. A very fun performance, with nicely understated technique.
"Is this the court of the exchequer? ...of many men, the wrecker!" ---uh...our libretto said "Be firm! -be firm, my pecker!" (guaranteed to elicit sniggering from we basses)
May I ask what the words are that the Defendant sings at about 3:34? (Right after "It is!") I assume you chose to change the "be firm" line (as I'm typing I'm looking at an online libretto). And the following line sounds like "My evil star's ..." Perhaps you could shed a little light on what that means. Thanks very much for uploading.
The line is "Of many men the wrecker." The next line you ask about is "My evil star's in the ascendant," which refers to very bad timing from an astrological standpoint. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching! We had a lot of fun recording this those many years ago.
David Ryan The original line, as Gilbert wrote it, was "Be still, be still my pecker" - the word "pecker" meaning "heart." But the original line elicits unintended howls of laughter from today's audiences, so the line was changed, fairly recently I think. I've never heard the line "Of many men the wrecker" on any recording of this piece.
David Schacker Correction: the original line was "Be firm, be firm my pecker" - which is even more hilarious to the modern ear. Thanks for posting this enjoyable amateur performance. Who are the performers?
Talking of suspect lyrics this will never happen but I can dream. At the end of 'a nice dilemma' it would crack me up if they replaced the final 'for all our wit' with 'oh sh*t." I don't think G and S audiences are quite resdy for that yet!
Delightfully silly production and well sung. The Counsel is rather cute, too! Just a shame they appear to be miming to a recording of themselves instead of singing live.
On the contrary - especially during Great Britain's heyday as a superpower, British people often regarded Britain as something quite special and separate from Europe or 'the continent'. If anything, *Americans* were more inclined to see Britain as part of a general 'Europe' as opposed to America.
It's pretty sad when the guy doing the documentary doesn't know how to pronounce one of the subject's major works. :( It's eye-oh-LAN-thee (unvoiced th), not eye-oh-LANTH. ouch
It is what it is...a creditable amateur performance...but still decidedly amateurish. Pity the excellent singing couldn`t be backed by a decent orchestra.
To quote Koko, "You have to put in your oar". Your arrogance says a lot more about you than it does about the performance! In my view, you should hold your tongue if you have nothing positive to say. I too have been in plenty of G & S amateur productions and it is very clear that these young people enjoyed themselves immensely!! I'd like to see you do better.
