Evening of GILBERT & sULLIVAN

The recent successful opera gala evenings at Shoreham’s Ropetackle Arts Centre will be followed up with an evening given over entirely to the Savoy Operas of Gilbert & Sullivan.

Douglas Hill, of the Ropetackle Centre, said: “The principals for the concert performance are all renowned and enthusiastic professionals, all former members of the renowned D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.”

Taking part will be Yvonne Patrick, soprano; Louise Crane, mezzo-soprano; Oliver White, tenor; Ian Belsey, baritone; and Carl Donohue, baritone.

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“They will be supported by a 24-voice chorus of singers selected from Ropetackle’s own hugely-successful community choir, Shoreham Singers-by-Sea and accompanied on piano by the wonderful Leslie-Anne Sammons, who has worked as an accompanist and repetiteur in many of the major Opera Houses and Concert halls of Europe.”

Douglas added: “The Savoy Operas, so-called because they were mainly premiered and performed in Richard D’Oyly Carte’s Savoy Theatre in the late 19th Century, comprise mainly the work of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.

“Although many deal with serious subjects they are known as Comic Operas and, while exhibiting wonderful artistry in composition and enabling great displays of virtuosity in performance, they are above all tremendous fun both for the performers and the audience.”

Douglas is confident the evening will be a great success: “Shoreham people have come to expect the best of the enormous variety of events which are put on at Ropetackle, and it’s a huge privilege for us to present an operatic concert of this calibre.

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“These singers are not only top professionals, but are all specialists in and aficionados of the works of Gilbert & Sullivan.

“It’s a must for all lovers of the Savoy Operas and also a perfect opportunity for newcomers to have a taste of this joyful musical entertainment. A treat for everyone in fact.”

Singer Yvonne Patrick said: “Of all the various operatic forms I’ve worked in, the Gilbert and Sullivan light operas are the best opportunity to share a joyful experience with our audience; they are such fun to perform that the audience can’t fail to be infected by the feeling of joy coming from the performers.

“We’ll be giving many of our own favourite arias and choruses on the evening so we hope to provide a very special experience for the Ropetackle audience.”

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The concert is at the Ropetackle Centre, Little High Street, Shoreham BN43 5EG on Saturday, November 23 at 7.30pm. Tickets at £15 are available on 01273 464440 or online at www.ropetacklecentre.co.uk.

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