“Oh, better far
to live and die
Under the brave
black flag I fly,
Than play a
sanctimonious part,
With a pirate head
and a pirate heart.”

—The Pirate King
The Pirates of Penzance

The Pirates of Penzance – Summer Concert 2011 2011

July 2011

The Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company and the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra will present a concert version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, at the Lake Harriet Bandshell, on Saturday July 16th and Sunday, July 17th.

The performance is free and open to the public.  There are benches available directly in front of the stage and lots of lawn seating available in the surrounding area.  Plan to arrive early to get a good spot as our concerts are one of the most popular events of the summer at the Lake Harriet Bandshell.

Synopsis

The Pirates of Penzance, or The Slave of Duty, is one of the best-known and loved shows by the Victorian duo.  Frederic, an apprentice pirate, wants to give up piracy and lead a blameless life.  As he follows Frederic’s star-crossed journey, Gilbert manages to lampoon the army, the police, and “respectability.” And remember, it’s all about leap year.  Sullivan’s music is magnificent and innovative, with a number of the songs that defined the two for years to come: “Poor Wand’ring One,” “I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General,” and “A Policeman’s Lot is not a Happy One.”

When:  Saturday, July 16th, 7:30 PM, and Sunday, July 17th, 5:30 PM
Where: 

The Lake Harriet Bandshell Minneapolis, MN

(Click Here for Directions)

The cast for this concert production of The Pirates of Penzance includes:

Major General Stanley  Jim Ahrens
The Pirate King Waldyn Benbenek
Samuel Jonathan Flory
Frederic Eric Mellum
Sergeant of Police Christopher Michela
   
Mabel Carmelita Guse
Edith Lauren Drasler
Kate Mary Gregory
Ruth Lara Trujillo
   

The Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company has collaborated with Jere Lanz and the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra for many years in presenting a concert version of one of the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.



The Pirates of Penzance – Summer Concert 2011 2011 Show Poster

Show Poster

 “Poor wandering ones!
  If such poor love as ours
  Can help you find
  True peace of mind,
 Why, take it, it is yours!”

—Mabel
The Pirates of Penzance