The Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society, known for its world-class productions of the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, will present this week its Second Stage production of "The Gypsy Princess" by Emmerich Kalman, part of the Hans Wolf Memorial Operetta series established by the Society in 2007.
"The Gypsy Princess" will run for three performances only-on Friday, Feb. 29; Saturday, March 1; and Sunday, March 2, at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave.
The comic operas were produced by two Victorian English gentleman-music by Arthur Sullivan (later Sir Arthur Sullivan) and the witty words and biting satire by William S. Gilbert-who did not receive a knighthood (apparently, Queen Victoria was not amused). Their operettas, as English as tea and crumpets, are kept brilliantly alive every summer by the local Gilbert & Sullivan Society.
At the same time Messrs. Gilbert and Sullivan were making their witty social comments on Victorian England, Franz Lehar-joined by Offenbach, Strauss, Sousa and Kalman-was delighting Europe with his delicious Viennese pastry production of "The Merry Widow," creating what was known as the golden age of operetta during the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
"The Gypsy Princess" is a continuation of the memorial operettas produced by the society honoring the late Hans Wolf, former chorus master and associate conductor of Seattle Opera. Wolf, who died in 2005, was a longtime friend of the Seattle G&S society. He took great delight in bringing the operettas by Kalman, Offenbach, Strauss, Sousa and Lehar to local audiences. The Second Stage productions are supported by a generous grant from Wolf's sister, Elsbeth Pfeiffer.
Hans Wolf, known as Mr. Music, had a long career dedicated to the arts and music. His passion for music started at University of Vienna, where he studied under the famous Heinrich Schhenkar. Wolf received his doctorate in 1937.
He came to the United States in 1938, and took a break from his musical career in 1943 when he joined the Army as a translator. Commissioned in 1945 as a captain, Wolf spent five years with special services in Vienna, presenting operas as entertainment for the servicemen.
Wolf returned to the United States in 1950, where he continued his musical career with TV and recording companies in Los Angeles, Calif. He was invited to Seattle in 1969 by Glen Ross and Henry Holt. He became associate conductor and chorus master, endearing himself to many opera enthusiasts by presenting previews for the Opera Guild-including several on Queen Anne, and even one at my house. After a dozen years with Seattle Opera, Wolf left to restart the Tacoma Opera where he served as artistic director and conductor for the next 15 years.
In 1996 he left Tacoma to create the community outreach to benefit young musicians and expand the public's awareness of operetta. For 10 consecutive seasons, community outreach has brought some of the world's greatest operatic treasures to both Seattle and Tacoma audiences.
In 2003 Wolf received special citations from Mayor Greg Nickels and Gov. Christine Gregoire, as well as from world-class soprano Beverly Sills.
The principals of "The Gypsy Princess" include Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society veterans and several newcomers. Signe Mortensen will sing the title role of Sylvia. Society audiences will remember her fine 2003 performance as Gianetta in "The Gondoliers." Gary del Rosario, who will sing the lead tenor role of Prince Edwin, has been very active performing in the Pacific Northwest, including appearances with Seattle Opera.
And society members are pleased to welcome back G&S society performers Edie Hoppin (Stasi), Scott Bessho (Feri) and Richard Hodsdon as Rohnsdorff. Dennis Saffer will perform the comic tenor role of Count Boni, and rounding out the principal roles are Prince Edwin's parents, played by newcomer Ute Freund, and resident character actor and society set designer Nathan Rodda.
The story is the usual theme of young lovers from different social standings undergoing trials and tribulations, all with some comic relief and ending, or course, happily ever after.
Producer Jon Palmason brings together an outstanding artistic group for "The Gypsy Princess": Chris Nardine, director and choreographer; Glenda Williams, music director; and Carl Brondson, costume designer.
"The Gypsy Princess" is a wonderful production, full of beautiful music and suitable for the whole family. I can recommend it highly.
TTFN until next time.
'The Gypsy Princess' opens at Town Hall.
Tickets are $26 for the general public, $24 for senior citizens and $15 for students. For tickets, contact the society at 682-0796. The show runs three nights only: Friday, Feb. 29, and Saturday, March 1, are evening performances at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, March 2, is a matinee at 2 p.m. More information is available at the society's Web site at www.pattersong.org. Town Hall is at 1119 8th Ave.