Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15533 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-04-03
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Classical, PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 152 minutes

Synopsis
An Australian production of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta 'The Gondoliers' which follows the story of two men, recently married, who discover that they are needed to rule a kingdom.

Customer Reviews

"Now a gavotte perform sedately.."
"Now a gavotte perform sedately.."

Sadly, these instructions from the Duke of Plaza-Toro to would be King of Barataria candidates Marco and Giuseppe are not heard in this Sydney Opera House production. In every other respect, however, it is full measure and overflowing. To Gilbert and Sullivan's original operetta format are added elements of mime, pantomime, and ballet. The chorus and principals are required not only to sing and act, but are choreographed to breathless limits and even made to be as acrobatic in the "Cachucha" as members of the ballet.

All the more regrettable, therefore, is the omission of `I am a courtier grave and serious' which already enacts the blend of music, dance, wit and pomposity. If performance considerations dictated it omission in the live performance, it should have been specially filmed and inserted into this filmed production. You will find that the Overture is here in full.

Having watched oodles of productions of this work during a long life, both in Australia and the UK, I have always found that vitality characterized Australian productions compared to the usually staid and workmanlike English way of doing G & S. Well, the vitality here will leave you breathless. Color and costumes are dazzling. The sound is natural but low in volume. Contemporary allusions have been added here and there; while regretting this I must admit that they scan and fit beautifully and fall not too far below Gilbert's original lyrics. The chief pantomime element is Australian Opera stalwart Graeme Ewer presenting the Duchess of Plaza-Toro as a pantomime dame. This works well. The Duchess's vocal contributions are normally very difficult for a contralto to deliver, but Ewer projects everything clearly.

From the opening shot of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House to the final gallery shots of the principal singers, you'll find top quality entertainment here.

Absolute Gilbert & Sullivan
Director Brian Macdonald certainly knows how to stage this stunning production. There are so many surprises which leave the viewier wanting to see it again and again - undoubtedly an excellent DVD to own. The clever use of mime to change sceenes, coupled with some of the best choreography by Opera Australia's brightest stars, add up to a truly delightful experience. The prinicple roles are sung with verve, and not a trace of 'Australian' dialect. However one should turn on the 'subtitles' so that none of the modern lyrics are missed. It is the best production that I have ever seen.

Showing its age, but still entertaining

The problem with using 'topical' references in G&S (or similar) productions is that they quickly become dated, so in this case what was regarded as very funny in 1988 is now passé and almost forgotten, even by Australians, and in one instance - the reference to the Princess of Wales - painfully unfortunate.
Modern lyrics aside, the music is as delightful as ever, of course, although the sacrifice of 'I am a Courtier, Grave and Serious' was regrettable (particularly since the Duke and Duchess' Duet which preceeded it was 'modernised'). The singing, too, is first-class, even when one is reminded just how old this production is by the young David Hobson's endearingly croaky bottom notes in 'Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes' - the future Mozart stylist (and widely acclaimed Rodolfo) was still very near the beginning of his remarkable stage career!

The routine pairing of Hobson and Roger Lemke, thoroughly enjoying themselves as Marco and Giuseppe Palmieri - the Gondoliers of the title - complimented by Christine Douglas (Gianetta) and Suzanne Johnston (Tessa) made for some excellent performances by the 'young chickens'. Right behind them, though, were the 'old birds', Australian Opera stalwarts Robert Gard and Graeme Ewer as the Duke and Duchess of Plaza-Toro, and the inimitable Dennis Olsen (Don Alhambra).

Susan Benson's costumes showed to particular advantage in the highlight of the production, the Act II "Cachucha" sequence - where Director/Choreographer Brian Macdonald was to be congratulated for managing to make most of the cast look like reasonable dancers!