Renowned professional opera singers who have graced the stage of English National Opera will perform in Jersey next month as part of a Gilbert and Sullivan Festival week-end.
The Jersey G&S Society has invited the National G&S Opera Company to the Island to put on performances of two of the most popular works: HMS Pinafore and The Pirates of Penzance.
The National Company was founded to headline the International G&S Festival that takes place in the UK each year, but it also tours major UK theatres and has received outstanding reviews for its performances. In October last year, it visited Guernsey for a performance of HMS Pinafore. Members of the Jersey Society travelled across to take part and conversations with Neil Smith, founder of the National Company, and Chris Milton, Musical Director, led to the idea of repeating and expanding the experience in Jersey.
The principal roles in each of the operas will be taken by the professionals coming to the Island, these being Simon Butteriss, John Savournin, Phoebe Smith, Gaynor Keeble and Alex Aldren. All are internationally renowned, gracing the stages of some of the world’s finest opera houses. The chorus and minor principals will be provided by local members of the Jersey Society, with singers from Guernsey also joining the chorus.
Annette Blanchet, of the Jersey G&S Society, said – “We’re thoroughly enjoying rehearsing for the challenge of preparing not just one but two shows over the same weekend! The opportunity to perform alongside the professionals is also really exciting for all of us taking part. Some of them were also involved in the production in
Guernsey last year – the were so encouraging and inspiring, and absolutely lovely to work with”.
The performances will take place at Jersey College for Girls on Friday 16th October (HMS Pinafore) and Saturday 17th October (The Pirates of Penzance), each starting at 7:30pm. On Sunday 18th October at 2:30pm, members of the National Company will give a talk on the world of Gilbert and Sullivan.
Tickets for all three elements of the Festival are available from the Jersey Arts Centre.
For further information, please contact Annette Blanchet at [email protected] or
on 07797 751052.
