From the sublime......

From yesterday's sublime Tosca, in singing anyway, to the ridiculousness of Gilbert and Sullivan's Yeomen of the Guard, was a fun adventure this afternoon. David and I went to Mandel Hall at Chicago University, just down the street from our condo, to hear a lively performance of this operetta put on by The Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, Inc., and the University of Chicago Chamber Orchestra.

It was a delightful afternoon with very good singing and playing.

Colonel Fairfax was well-sung by tenor David Fair, Sergeant Meryll by Peter Morgan, his son by Nathan Oakes, Jack Point, the Jester, in hilarious mode and wonderful diction in the patter songs, by Daniel Berry, Elsie Maynard by very fine soprano Anna Caldwell, Phoebe Meryll by equally good mezzo Samantha Attaguile, Dame Carruthers by mezzo Rachel Dawson, who was perfect for the part but needs the low part of her voice to fully bring it off, plus Brad Jungwirth as the Head Jailer and Assistant Tormentor, David Govertsen as Sir Richard Cholmondley, Anastasia Malliares as Kate, and David Jones as the Headsman.

   Daniel Berry
 
All the parts were well sung in fairly accurate G&S style with various versions of British English. There were super-titles when the diction got lost so you could catch the wonderful words and the set was far more authentic than last night's black stage at Tosca.

The Chamber Orchestra played very well on the often tricky score which was conducted by Matthew Shepherd. The stage direction by Shane Valenzi was also excellent.


A fun afternoon of a great operetta!