Friday, 6 June 2014
Friday, 7 February 2014
The matter of the plot ...
Some folks seem unclear about the exact plot and so is some help from the incomparable Mary Holtby:
Take a pair of gondoliers
Whom Venetian girls adore
And whose history is strange:
For in childhood, it appears,
One was left with t’other’s sire –
The result was interchange.
Take the fact that one’s a king
And his friend of humble birth
(Which is which just isn’t known)
It’s of course the natural thing
They sail off to share the throne.
They sail off to share the throne.
Ah! For your true Republican
It’s a most intriguing plan.
Take the daughter of a Duke,
Of a prince the childhood bride,
One of those we’ve spoken of.
Take the amatory fluke
That the drummer by her side
Is the object of her love.
Let his so-called mum confess
That she swapped him in the cot
For the infant prince – then you
For the general happiness
Quite a recipe have got
(There are girls to share it too,
To share it too)…
Ah! Since the plot’s an also-ran,
Hear the music if you can…
Mary Holtby from that essential guide
How to be Tremendously Tuned In to Opera
Not that we entirely agree with her about the plot of course.
Sunday, 15 December 2013
Leading Gondoliers
Those at the front of the gondola for our forthcoming production include:
And if that does not give away the plot then the leetle grey cells are not working hard enough.
- Geoff Pope and Alan Russell (Bunthorne in Patience) as Marco and Guiseppe Palmieri
- Sally Ann Gretton (Patience) as Gianetta, and Anna Scutt as Tessa; their adoring girlfriends/wives
- Sandy Tyndale-Biscoe (The Duke - Patience) and Linda Thomas as the Duke and Duchess of Plaza-Toro
- Jo Allford-Gretton as Casilda, their beautiful daughter betrothed in infancy to the Crown Prince of Barataria whose identity we cannot possibly reveal, other than to say that she is currently in love with ...
- Luiz, played by Derek Rowse, the 'suite' and drummer boy to the Duke
- Hugh Slater as Don Alhambra del Bolero, the Grand Inquisitor (whom nobody expects)
- Hilary Pheonix as Inez, the nursemaid and foster-mother to the young prince and, coincidentally, mother to Luiz
- ... and then there is that wonderful and ravishing chorus of Gondolieri, and Contadine dancing a cachuca or two
And if that does not give away the plot then the leetle grey cells are not working hard enough.
Monday, 9 December 2013
Tuesday, 26 November 2013
The Gondoliers glossary
We are at last, allowed some Italian: the divine language of opera and love. Never mind the meaning just roll the phrases around you mouth. Per chi questi fiori bellissimi? or Gondolieri carissimi! Siamo contadine!
How could you fail to dream that you are floating down the Grand Canal, dipping into a cornetto, a gorgeous gondolier swooshing his oar into the canal or fending off the enclosing walls in a narrow channel, while singing a Venetian love song ...
Oh, you want to know what they mean? Well try this for a glossary of some of the words in this sublime piece.
Signorina, io t’amo! Of happiness the very pith indeed.
Thursday, 27 June 2013
Patient trivia
Have you spotted:
The references to mediaevalism ... the Victorians were fascinated with the past. The Houses of Parliament were built in the 1830s, the same time as St Pancras station, in what we now regard as Victorian Gothic. The same style runs through the paintings of the Pre-Raphaelites (founded 1848). The love-sick maidens demand 'Early English' - the purist form of Gothic - out the Dragoons.
Bunthorne's poem makes little sense. Swinburne was often accused of using the word that sounded right for the verse rather than the word that made sense. It is yet another example of Gilbert's ability to parody others. Grosvenor's poem on the other hand, sounds like, and probably is, straight out of Gilbert's own Bab Ballads: a moral tale, tightly told.
And you had spotted, of course, that Grosvenor is the family name of the Dukes of Westminster who owns large chunks of ... Westminster including Grosvenor Square.
The references to mediaevalism ... the Victorians were fascinated with the past. The Houses of Parliament were built in the 1830s, the same time as St Pancras station, in what we now regard as Victorian Gothic. The same style runs through the paintings of the Pre-Raphaelites (founded 1848). The love-sick maidens demand 'Early English' - the purist form of Gothic - out the Dragoons.
Bunthorne's poem makes little sense. Swinburne was often accused of using the word that sounded right for the verse rather than the word that made sense. It is yet another example of Gilbert's ability to parody others. Grosvenor's poem on the other hand, sounds like, and probably is, straight out of Gilbert's own Bab Ballads: a moral tale, tightly told.
And you had spotted, of course, that Grosvenor is the family name of the Dukes of Westminster who owns large chunks of ... Westminster including Grosvenor Square.
Thursday, 22 November 2012
Patient words
Patience shows Gilbert's incredible love of words and their sounds, not withstanding his ability to invent his own at times.
The dragoons complain of the maidens fleering at them. This is not a word in common usage today but means 'to smirk or laugh in contempt or derision' or 'a taunting, scoffing, or derisive look or gibe'. It seems such a pity that it is not still used as we all do it. Conveniently, it rhymes with sneering and jeering.
'Gaily pipe Pandaean pleasure' refers to the god Pan who had his pipes.
A 'Daphnephoric bound' sounds a most wonderful thing: suggestive of some light jumping dance step. The Daphnephoria was a Greek festival involving branches and the usual scantily clad celebrants but there is no suggestion of a dance. A Daphnephoric ode was a song sung by young ladies. It is just a lovely-sounding word.
The Colonel's song highlights some of the great names of the Victorian era. The first performance was in 1881 and the list shows how topical it was:
The pluck of Lord Nelson on board of the Victory -
- No help needed here. The battle had happened in 1805.
Genius of Bismarck devising a plan -
- Bismark had only stopped being the German Chancellor nine years earlier.
The humour of Fielding (which sounds contradictory) -
- Presumably the 18th century Henry Fielding who wrote Tom Jones and not Helen who wrote Bridget Jones Diary.
Coolness of Paget about to trepan -
- A trepan is a surgical cut into the skull. James Paget was a surgeon who was still alive.
The science of Jullien, the eminent musico -
- Louis Antoine Jullien 1814 -60 a French born conductor who organized concerts and operatic performances at the Drury Lane Theatre in London
Wit of Macaulay, who wrote of Queen Anne -
- Thomas the historian and writer of the Lays of Ancient Rome rather than George Macaulay Trevelyan who actually did write a history of Queen Anne but who was only five when the opera was first performed.
The pathos of Paddy, as rendered by Boucicault -
- This does not refer to the French artist of the same name but to a poem by an Irishman who wrote of the wearing of the green: revolutionary stuff for this era to be hinting at Irish nationalism.
Style of the Bishop of Sodor and Man -
- This may refer to a Victorian scandal or may just be fun with the unusual name. Sodor is, you will remember, the fictional island where Thomas the Tank Engine would later live.
The dash of a D'Orsay, divested of quackery -
- This was probably the French dandy Alfred d'Orsay.
Narrative powers of Dickens and Thackeray -
- Dickens (d.1870), Thackeray (d.1863).
Victor Emmanuel - peak-haunting Peveril -
- Victor Emmanuel was presumably the King of Italy (d.1861); Walter Scott wrote Peveril of the Peak.
Thomas Aquinas, and Doctor Sacheverell -
- Thomas Aquinas was the 13th century religious writer; Doctor Sacheverill (a high-church preacher d1724).
Tupper and Tennyson - Daniel Defoe -
- Tupper was another writer who was alive at the time as was Tennyson, Daniel Defoe (d.1731).
Anthony Trollope and Mister Guizot!
- Anthony Trollope would die the following year. Mister Guizot was a French political activist.
If you want a receipt for this soldier-like paragon,
- The words receipt and recipe were interchangeable.
Get at the wealth of the Czar (if you can) -
The family pride of a Spaniard from Aragon -
Force of Mephisto pronouncing a ban -
- Any offers? Does this refer to Mephistopheles?
A smack of Lord Waterford, reckless and rollicky -
- Is this a reference to a fishing smack? Rollicky: as in having a rollicking time.
Swagger of Roderick, heading his clan -
- There seem to be two contenders: either a Scottish outlaw called Roderick Dhu or Roderick, the last Gothic king of Spain
The keen penetration of Paddington Pollaky -
- The real-life Hercule Poirot of his time.
Grace of an Odalisque on a divan -
- A female slave or concubine in the Turkish court.
The genius strategic of Caesar or Hannibal -
- Do you really need help on these two? Think Gallic Wars and then elephants.
Skill of Sir Garnet in thrashing a cannibal -
-Sir Garnet Wolseley was one of the great Victorian generals who did not actually attack any cannibals.
Flavour of Hamlet - the Stranger, a touch of him -
- Ahem .. think Shakespeare.
Little of Manfred (but not very much of him) -
- Might this refer to the poem by Byron?
Beadle of Burlington - Richardson's show -
- Burlington Arcade in London had a beadle who kept order; Richardson's was a popular travelling theatre.
Mister Micawber and Madame Tussaud!
- Mister Micawber - a Dickens character - and as for Madame Tussaud's ...
Much later, the two aesthetics refer to themselves by some of the places they visit:
Grosvenor gallery - a recently created rival to the Royal Academy
Sewell and Cross - a famous silk mercer and upholsterers
Howell and James - a famous art pottery gallery
The dragoons complain of the maidens fleering at them. This is not a word in common usage today but means 'to smirk or laugh in contempt or derision' or 'a taunting, scoffing, or derisive look or gibe'. It seems such a pity that it is not still used as we all do it. Conveniently, it rhymes with sneering and jeering.
'Gaily pipe Pandaean pleasure' refers to the god Pan who had his pipes.
A 'Daphnephoric bound' sounds a most wonderful thing: suggestive of some light jumping dance step. The Daphnephoria was a Greek festival involving branches and the usual scantily clad celebrants but there is no suggestion of a dance. A Daphnephoric ode was a song sung by young ladies. It is just a lovely-sounding word.
The Colonel's song highlights some of the great names of the Victorian era. The first performance was in 1881 and the list shows how topical it was:
The pluck of Lord Nelson on board of the Victory -
- No help needed here. The battle had happened in 1805.
Genius of Bismarck devising a plan -
- Bismark had only stopped being the German Chancellor nine years earlier.
The humour of Fielding (which sounds contradictory) -
- Presumably the 18th century Henry Fielding who wrote Tom Jones and not Helen who wrote Bridget Jones Diary.
Coolness of Paget about to trepan -
- A trepan is a surgical cut into the skull. James Paget was a surgeon who was still alive.
The science of Jullien, the eminent musico -
- Louis Antoine Jullien 1814 -60 a French born conductor who organized concerts and operatic performances at the Drury Lane Theatre in London
Wit of Macaulay, who wrote of Queen Anne -
- Thomas the historian and writer of the Lays of Ancient Rome rather than George Macaulay Trevelyan who actually did write a history of Queen Anne but who was only five when the opera was first performed.
The pathos of Paddy, as rendered by Boucicault -
- This does not refer to the French artist of the same name but to a poem by an Irishman who wrote of the wearing of the green: revolutionary stuff for this era to be hinting at Irish nationalism.
Style of the Bishop of Sodor and Man -
- This may refer to a Victorian scandal or may just be fun with the unusual name. Sodor is, you will remember, the fictional island where Thomas the Tank Engine would later live.
The dash of a D'Orsay, divested of quackery -
- This was probably the French dandy Alfred d'Orsay.
Narrative powers of Dickens and Thackeray -
- Dickens (d.1870), Thackeray (d.1863).
Victor Emmanuel - peak-haunting Peveril -
- Victor Emmanuel was presumably the King of Italy (d.1861); Walter Scott wrote Peveril of the Peak.
Thomas Aquinas, and Doctor Sacheverell -
- Thomas Aquinas was the 13th century religious writer; Doctor Sacheverill (a high-church preacher d1724).
Tupper and Tennyson - Daniel Defoe -
- Tupper was another writer who was alive at the time as was Tennyson, Daniel Defoe (d.1731).
Anthony Trollope and Mister Guizot!
- Anthony Trollope would die the following year. Mister Guizot was a French political activist.
If you want a receipt for this soldier-like paragon,
- The words receipt and recipe were interchangeable.
Get at the wealth of the Czar (if you can) -
The family pride of a Spaniard from Aragon -
Force of Mephisto pronouncing a ban -
- Any offers? Does this refer to Mephistopheles?
A smack of Lord Waterford, reckless and rollicky -
- Is this a reference to a fishing smack? Rollicky: as in having a rollicking time.
Swagger of Roderick, heading his clan -
- There seem to be two contenders: either a Scottish outlaw called Roderick Dhu or Roderick, the last Gothic king of Spain
The keen penetration of Paddington Pollaky -
- The real-life Hercule Poirot of his time.
Grace of an Odalisque on a divan -
- A female slave or concubine in the Turkish court.
The genius strategic of Caesar or Hannibal -
- Do you really need help on these two? Think Gallic Wars and then elephants.
Skill of Sir Garnet in thrashing a cannibal -
-Sir Garnet Wolseley was one of the great Victorian generals who did not actually attack any cannibals.
Flavour of Hamlet - the Stranger, a touch of him -
- Ahem .. think Shakespeare.
Little of Manfred (but not very much of him) -
- Might this refer to the poem by Byron?
Beadle of Burlington - Richardson's show -
- Burlington Arcade in London had a beadle who kept order; Richardson's was a popular travelling theatre.
Mister Micawber and Madame Tussaud!
- Mister Micawber - a Dickens character - and as for Madame Tussaud's ...
Much later, the two aesthetics refer to themselves by some of the places they visit:
Grosvenor gallery - a recently created rival to the Royal Academy
Sewell and Cross - a famous silk mercer and upholsterers
Howell and James - a famous art pottery gallery
Sunday, 11 November 2012
Patience line up
Much of the casting is now done and the line up is (so far) looking like this:
Colonel Calverley - Max Braga (ex Private Willis from Iolanthe)
Major Murgatroyd - Philip Feather (ex Lord Mountararat from Iolanthe)
Lieut the Duke of Dunstable - to follow
Reginald Bunthorne - Alan Russell (ex Lord Chancellor from Iolanthe)
Archibald Grosvenor - David (ex Samuel from Pirates)
The Lady Angela - Hilary Phoenix
The Lady Saphir - Anna Scutt (Iolanthe from Iolanthe)
The Lady Ella - to follow
The Lady Jane - Jenny Braga (new to the front row)
Patience - Sally-Ann Gretton
Major Murgatroyd - Philip Feather (ex Lord Mountararat from Iolanthe)
Lieut the Duke of Dunstable - to follow
Reginald Bunthorne - Alan Russell (ex Lord Chancellor from Iolanthe)
Archibald Grosvenor - David (ex Samuel from Pirates)
The Lady Angela - Hilary Phoenix
The Lady Saphir - Anna Scutt (Iolanthe from Iolanthe)
The Lady Ella - to follow
The Lady Jane - Jenny Braga (new to the front row)
Patience - Sally-Ann Gretton
Thursday, 12 July 2012
Thursday, 28 June 2012
What's the plot?
The plot of Iolanthe is well put by Mary Holtby*:
When your mother's a fay someone's certain to say, on observing her looks and agility:
'Your assertion that this is your Ma we dismiss; such a statement has no credibility';
When your filial embrace is pronounced a disgrace by the girl you're expecting to marry you,
And she flirts with the peers, and together their jeers are combining to mock you and harry you;
You may feel some relief from your fury and grief when the Queen of the Fairies enlightens them;
And, a Member 'elected', at last you're respected - nay more, your omnipotence frightens them -
You've regained your lost bride, and the fairies decide they will after those nobly-born gentry go,
While the Queen of them all is in amorous thrall to the private she's spotted on sentry-go ...
But you haven't won through for though Phyllis loves you,
The Lord Chancellor's scored - he will marry his ward,
And is deaf if not dumb to the pleas of your mum
Till she's forced to unveil the astonishing tale
That the husband she had is this Lord - he's your Dad!
So he can't marry Phyl but your mother is still
As a mere mortal's wife under threat of her life
Till the Queen mends the flaw in this Fairyland law
And makes weddings that were disallowed, de rigeur,
So the peers will explore terra nova
And with wings on their backs make immediate tracks for the Chamber Above -
And this triumph of love is the sign that the opera's over.
* In How to be Tremendously Tuned in to Opera
When your mother's a fay someone's certain to say, on observing her looks and agility:
'Your assertion that this is your Ma we dismiss; such a statement has no credibility';
When your filial embrace is pronounced a disgrace by the girl you're expecting to marry you,
And she flirts with the peers, and together their jeers are combining to mock you and harry you;
You may feel some relief from your fury and grief when the Queen of the Fairies enlightens them;
And, a Member 'elected', at last you're respected - nay more, your omnipotence frightens them -
You've regained your lost bride, and the fairies decide they will after those nobly-born gentry go,
While the Queen of them all is in amorous thrall to the private she's spotted on sentry-go ...
But you haven't won through for though Phyllis loves you,
The Lord Chancellor's scored - he will marry his ward,
And is deaf if not dumb to the pleas of your mum
Till she's forced to unveil the astonishing tale
That the husband she had is this Lord - he's your Dad!
So he can't marry Phyl but your mother is still
As a mere mortal's wife under threat of her life
Till the Queen mends the flaw in this Fairyland law
And makes weddings that were disallowed, de rigeur,
So the peers will explore terra nova
And with wings on their backs make immediate tracks for the Chamber Above -
And this triumph of love is the sign that the opera's over.
* In How to be Tremendously Tuned in to Opera
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)