SATURDAY MATINEE
Operetta in the afternoon
Prepared and presented by Angela Cockburn

Sullivan, A. The gondoliers. Operetta in two acts. Libretto by W.S. Gilbert. First performed London, 1889.   

Sullivan, A. The gondoliers, Act I.   
[01:04:49]

Sullivan, A. The gondoliers, Act II.   
[01:04:04]

   DUKE OF PLAZA-TORO: John Reed, bar
DUCHESS OF PLAZA-TORO: Gillian Knight, cont
CASILDA: Jennifer Toye, sop
DON ALHAMBRA: Kenneth Sandford, bass
LUIZ: Jeffrey Skitch, ten
MARCO PALMIERI: Thomas Round, ten
GIUSEPPE PALMIERI: Alan Style, bar
TESSA: Joyce Wright, mezz
GIANETTA: Mary Sansom, sop
D’Oyly Carte Opera Company Ch; New SO/Isidore Godfrey.
Decca 425 177-2 [02:08:53]

   The Duke and Duchess of Plaza-Toro arrive in Venice from Spain with their daughter Casilda who, as a baby, was married to the son and heir of the King of Barataria. The infant prince was taken by Don Alhambra to Venice and, as the King has died, the hidden prince is now king. Casilda is now the reigning queen of Barataria but she is secretly in love with Luiz, their drummer. Don Alhambra explains that the prince was raised by the gondolier, Baptisto Palmieri, a drunkard, who eventually forgot which boy was his own son and which boy was the prince. The two boys, Marco and Giuseppe, are now gondoliers. They have just married Tessa and Gianetta respectively. Don Alhambra informs them that one of them is the King of Barataria, but no one knows which. The gondoliers agree to go to Barataria at once, acting as one individual until the actual king is identified. Don Alhambra neglects to mention that the King is married to Casilda.
In Barataria, Don Alhambra breaks the news that one of the gondoliers had married Casilda when they were babies and therefore is an unintentional bigamist. The Duke and Duchess of Plaza-Toro arrive with Casilda and Luiz. Don Alhambra finds the nurse who cared for the young prince. She happens to be Luiz's mother. She hid the prince and gave Don Alhambra her own son instead. Thus, the king is neither Marco nor Giuseppe, but Luiz. Casilda finds that she is already married to the man she loves and the two gondoliers surrender their crown to Luiz and, although a little disappointed that neither will be a king, they can return happily to Venice with their wives.

Schumann, C. Evening in Venice, from Three songs on poems by Geibel (1848).    Heidelberg Madrigal Choir/Gerald Kegelmann.
Bayer BR 100 041CD [05:43]

Porter, C. We open in Venice, from Kiss me Kate (1948).    Julie Lee Goodwin, sop; Kerrie Anne Greenland, mezz; Caleb Vine, ten; Rob Mallett, bar; Sydney Philharmonia Festival Ch & O/Brett Weymark.
Fine Music concert recording [02:08]