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Regional Reviews: Florida - West Coast A Romp with Gilbert and Sullivan Also see Bill's review of Spamalot
With the exception of the big three (H.M.S. Pinafore, The Mikado, and The Pirates of Penzance), the works of this Victorian duo seem to be falling out of favor so that proper performance style is becoming lost. More is the pity because works such as Iolanthe, The Gondoliers, and The Yeomen of the Guard can still hold the stage, while I, as a true Gilbert & Sullivan buff, love all the others as well. Tracy Olivera, soprano, Steve Cramer, tenor, and Bob McDonald, baritone, with a strong assist from the Gloria Musicae Singers, offered selections from Pinafore in the first half of the program and Mikado and Pirates after intermission. Ms. Olivera sang both soprano and contralto selections ("The Sun Whose Rays" and "I'm Called Little Buttercup"). I would peg her as a mezzo who can sing a soprano part in a choral performance when required, but she lacked the bloom on top that I would like to hear. Mr. Cramer sang mostly tenor selections ("The Nightingale/A Maiden Fair to See" and "A Wand'ring Minstral I") but took a comic baritone line in one number. Mr. McDonald sang from both comic and non-comic baritone material ("I Am the Captain of the Pinafore" and "When I Was a Lad"). He was best in the non-comic material. The finest contributions came from the Gloria Musicae Singers, a professional group, and boy does it show. Their singing as a group was crisp and in style. Ben Plocher took the role of Pish Tush in "I Am So Proud" and was as good as his soloist counterparts who had the showier parts. Nicole Smith Riggs, Robyn Rocklein, and Amy Connours sang a nice, chirpy "Three Little Maids." The "Sailors Hornpipe" by the entire chorus was a highlight of the selections from Pinafore, and "Never Mind the Why and Wherefore" was a great ending for the first half. At the piano and our host for the entire program was Dr. Joseph Holt, who has been coordinating the Pops series for Artists Concerts, and is also music director of Gloria Musicae. A Romp with Gilbert and Sullivan was presented May 9 and 10, 2105, by Artists Series Concerts of Sarasota at The Historic Asolo Theater, John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, Florida. Box Office 941 306-1201. For more information, please visit www.artistseries.net.
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