Gilbert & Sullivan

[froofmyster]

Damn, I'm nervous. I'm performing in the Gilbert & Sullivan play "The Gondoliers" next Wednesday. I'm playing Luiz (no he's not effeminate), the drumer boy, in love with the Duke's "lovely" daughter. I have two beautifull songs that I'm afraid to screw up. I can't bring myself to hug the Duke's daughter, which is difficult for a 7th grader. I'm surprised my voice hasn't cracked. Just so you know, I have a high-pitched voice with a powerfull volume.

Anyway, does anybody know the play? If so, any recommendations for any songs/dialogues.

For those who are interested in the story, here it is:

NOTE: My drama teacher added characters and played with the script and story.

-Setting: 17th Century Venice-
Enter Don Carlo (impressario of the Théatro de Venice) and Rossini.
They argue about make a Tancredi II. Carlo is for it, Rossini would prefer to write a comedy. A fight ensues. They leave, argueing.
-Scene: Venice Town Square-
Chorus of Contadine (Peasant girls) await the arrival of the two Gondoliers Marco & Giuseppe, so that two of them may take their hand in marriage.
Other, less popular Gondoliers arrive, looking for wives. The Contadine state that they will ignore them until Marco and Giuseppe have chosen.
Marco and Giuseppe arrive and claim that they want each girl equally. Truth: Marco wants Gianetta and Giuseppe wants Tessa. They say that they will blindfold themselves as to make it fair. Truth: they are peeking. Suffice to say, they get the girls they wanted. They run off to get married.
-Scene: Outside the Ducal Palace-
Duke of Plaza-Toro, Duchess, Daughter, and Drummer (me!) arrive on the scene in a Gondola, very seasick. The introduce themselves and vow never to go back to sea once they return home, Drummer comming in between each line with four bangs of his drum. the duke is broke. He explains his money-making scheme. His daughter calls it stupid. After a long song contradicting her, he explains that the daughter was wed to the infant son of the Late King of Barataria at age 1 and has come to claim his hand. Duke and Duchess leave leaving Luiz (Drummer) and Casilda (Duke's daughter) alone. The two hug, and break into a song declaring their love to each other and hug again (GAWD). A long dialogue explaining the daughter's situation follows, ending in a song of woe and grief. The Grand Inquisitor, the one supposedly knowing who the King of Barataria is, comes on, scaring away any bystanders. The duke, duchess, daughter and drummer remain. He explains that the King is one of the two twin Gondoliers Marco and Giuseppe. He's just not sure which of the two brothers it is. He asks Luiz to find the brothers' step mother (Luiz's mother). She's the only one who know who the real king is.

I'll leave you with that, I'm too tired to write more for the moment. More tomorrow.

[Lycanthrope]

Heh, UCSB is doing that too. If I didn't know you were canadian, I'd ask if you were going there.

My suggestion: Moderate your vibrato. For light opera especially, vibrato ought to be subtle. It is also my biggest pet peev in opera singers. I've heard some singers use a vibrato-range of a major third (Although it sounded more like a sixth to me), and I wanted to curl up in a fetal position and shudder.

I find myself having more and more opertunities to quote this. "The plot seems complicated at first glance, but after close study, it becomes hopelessly confused." Peter Schickily on "PDQ Bach" Hansel and Gretel and Ted and Alice

[Dona Maria]

recommendations for what? as in, why?

[froofmyster]

Performing/Singing/Acting