Gilbert & Sullivan's The Gondoliers

One of Gilbert & Sullivan’s most popular operettas, The Gondoliers follows the hilarious search for the lost King of Barataria, accompanied by the lilting melodies and colorful costumes of Venetian boatsmen and Italian dancers. Even Queen Victoria succumbed to its delights when the Savoy company gave a command performance of Gondoliers at Windsor Castle, and it was reported that she laughed heartily at the author’s jesting description of what a ruler’s life was really like. Performances by CT Gilbert and Sullivan are October 4th and 5th at Valley Regional High School, Deep River.  For tickets click here. For plot summary click here.

The Connecticut Gilbert and Sullivan Society was organized in 1980 with the encouragement of then-Gov. Ella Grasso, a noted admirer of the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. Since then, the group has produced a Savoy opera every year. CG&SS is dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of the rich heritage of satire and melody that emerged from the unique partnership of William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (between 1870 and 1900). The art form they created together, which was nurtured by impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte at The Savoy Theatre, established the underpinnings which sustain the modern-day musical. CG&SS provides a showcase for talented singers, directors, designers, instrumentalists and stage technicians of professional expertise who make a living at other professions. This is family-oriented historical entertainment for the widest possible audience in the English language.

The organization offers an outlet for creativity as people help with productions on stage, behind stage, or as a sponsoring member of the audience. It adds to the quality of life in the Middletown area through performing arts, provides for study and performances of these 14 masterpieces with professional guidance; enriches the historical offerings to area audiences; encourages and supports area youth by including students from Middletown schools. We also have sponsored many benefit performances consisting of excerpts from G&S and occasionally other creators at a variety of venues in the area, along with Sullivan’s cantata “The Golden Legend” with organ and percussion, and a concert of Sullivan songs.

The Connecticut Gilbert & Sullivan Society has received grants from the Middletown Commission on the Arts, the Connecticut Commission of the Arts, and the Middletown Foundation for the Arts. We have also received support through many employer-sponsored donation programs through members of the cast and crew.
CG&SS provides a showcase for talented singers, directors, designers, instrumentalists and stage technicians of professional expertise who make a living at other professions. This is family-oriented historical entertainment for the widest possible audience in the English language.