The Rockbridge Chorus, directed by William McCorkle, will present its spring program, “An Evening with Gilbert and Sullivan,” on Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m. at Lexington Presbyterian Church.
The concert, a sampling from the rich catalog of operettas by the notable English collaborators, W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, will include a full singing of the short operetta, “Trial by Jury,” and tantalizing excerpts from “The Mikado,” “The Pirates of Penzance,” and “Iolanthe.”
Inspiration for this performance has come from the Lexington/Rockbridge community’s long history of Gilbert and Sullivan celebrations noted in last week’s feature story, notably “Trial by Jury” performances, presented in the old Rockbridge County courthouse in the 1940s; performances of five G&S operettas in the 1960s by a local group known as the FROGS (Friends and Relations of Gilbert and Sullivan); and offerings of two operettas in the 1980s by the Henry Street Playhouse and Stock Company.
Said conductor McCorkle, “We are thrilled to revive this community’s long and resonant relationship will the delightful world of Gilbert and Sullivan. Our re-acquaintance with this repertoire has helped us remember and appreciate the enthusiasm of local G&S performers and audiences over the years.
Pianist for the performance will be Patrick Summers, who is well known to area audiences from his work at Southern Virginia University and as musical director of Washington and Lee University’s Bentley musicals.
The cast of soloists for “Trial by Jury” includes tenor Scott Williamson as the Judge; soprano Christine Fairfield and tenor Adam Williams as the Plantiff and Defendant; baritones Robb Zahm and David Sorrells as the Counsel and the Usher; and bass Philip Coulling as the Foreman.
In the “excerpt” first portion of the program, selections from “The Mikado” will feature soprano Fairfield (Yum-Yum); soprano Bronwen Boswell and baritone Michael McLaughlin (Katisha and Koko); and, as the Three Little Maids, Maiai Browning Olsen, Sarah Swett and Jessica LaPrice.
The “Pirates of Penzance” excerpts will include Fairfield and Williams in famous Frederick/ Mabel solos, and baritone Charles Blueweiss as the Modern Major General. Rumors abound that, as a bonus, tenor Williamson may engage the audience’s participation in a well-known song from “HMS Pinafore.”
While this will be a concert performance, the program will feature some delightful touches of acting and costuming accents thanks to the creative genius of Terry Southerington, retired professor of theater at Mary Baldwin University, whose frequent G&S performances there delighted valley audiences over many years, said McCorkle.
But this music is not just a display of solo singing, for at the heart of every Gilbert and Sullivan musical is the chorus.
“The chorus is the real star of the show,” said McCorkle. “Its musical presence sets the stage for the story, and for every virtuosic success – musical and dramatic - of the soloists. It is the participation, affirmation, and overview of the chorus which serves to unify the performance. The singers of Rockbridge Chorus have taken o this role in an energetic and polished way. They will offer an exciting performance on April 26.”
Advance tickets for the performance are available online at rcs.org at $12.50 per person and $35 for a family, or at the door at $15 per person and $40 for a family. Anyone wishing further information is asked to call (540) 460-9650.
The Rockbridge Chorus is a component of the Rockbridge Choral Society, which realizes its mission thanks to contributions from individuals, businesses and organizations.
