Gilbert & Sullivan- any favourites?

[Hoof]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 4:50pm

I know this is broad but are there any good mezzo songs by them? I'm very unfamiliar with that branch of theatre and opera.

Any help, or favourite songs would be appreciated.

Updated On: 11/2/05 at 04:50 PM

[beenthere]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 5:11pm

Trial by Jury

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 5:24pm

My girl, if you're looking for good mezzo opera/operetta songs, you have hit the motherload. Try this site (The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive):

http://math.boisestate.edu/gas/index.html

In each G&S show, there is at least one leading mezzo role (they often wrote with specific performers in mind for roles, so there is a bit of a trend in terms of the types of characters/voice types that appear in the repertory). Look into some of these roles:

Ruth, "The Pirates of Penzance"
Katisha, "The Mikado"
Buttercup, "HMS Pinafore"
Dame Carothers, "The Yeomen of the Guard"
Lady Psyche, "Princess Ida"
Mad Margaret, "Ruddigore"

Hope that helps!

[Stick]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 5:25pm

"When Frederic was a little Lad" sung by Ruth in Pirates of Penzance.

[timote316]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 5:30pm

There's really not too much for a mezzo in Trial by Jury... the female (The Plaintiff, I do believe is her name) is a soprano, hitting some very high notes in the process.

[beenthere]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 5:33pm

you are right, completely mis read the post. Just putting in my two cents.

[Broadway_Boy]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 6:21pm

pirates of the penzance

[Songsstresss]

Posted: 11/2/05 at 7:18pm

I played Phoebe Meryll in The Yeomen of the Guard and she is a young mezzo as opposed to Dame Carothers who is an older woman. "Were I Thy Bride" and ... I am totally blanking, but the opening aria of the show is hers and a great song too! (I think it's called "When Maiden Loves")
Iolanthe in Iolanthe is a Mezzo and she has an aria in the second act. I forget the name. The Fairy Queen is an older mezzo and she has a couple arias as well. (Those are the two G&S we did at my summer stock so those are the only ones I know really well!)
Updated On: 11/2/05 at 07:18 PM