Detailed Schedule of Events
Saturday, May 14
9:30 am
Museum and Savoyard Shoppe opens in Hawes Hall, coffee and
refreshments available.
10:00 am
"Three’s Company, Four’s a Madrigal"
Coordinated by Tony Parkes and accompanied by Barry Singer.
Sir William and Sir Arthur were skilled at creating a range of moods, from the silly to the sublime. Here are a few examples of the latter, through the medium of songs for three or more voices in harmony.
Featuring: Brad Amidon, Connie Benn, Graham Daley, Art Dunlap, Kaori Emery, Ed Fell, Tom Frates, Laura Gouillart, Kathy Lague, Mike Lague, Kate Meifert, Dennis O'Brien, Wendy Parker, Tony Parkes, and Larry Seiler
11:00 am
"On the Matter of the Patter"
Coordinated by Dennis O’Brien with songs presented by Ed Fell, Tom Frates, Kathy Lague, Tony Parkes, Larry Seiler, Peter Stark and Dennis O’Brien, accompanied by Caroline Harvey.
A brief history of the patter song, starting with Gilbert’s fondness for, and familiarity with, Italian opera buffa, particularly the works of Donizetti with examples of the subsequent evolution at his and Sullivan’s hands, giving an idea of where it has gone (exclusive of parody) since then.
Featuring:
When I, good friends, was call'd to the bar - Trial By Jury - Tom Frates
My name is John Wellington Wells - The Sorcerer - Dennis O'Brien
When I was a lad I served a term - HMS Pinafore - Ed Fell
I am the very model of a Modern Major General - The Pirates of Penzance - Tom Frates
Oh, a private buffoon is a light-hearted loon - The Yeomen of the Guard - Tony Parkes
Take my advice, when deep in debt - The Grand Duke - Peter Stark
If you want a receipt for that popular mystery - Patience - Dennis O'Brien
Love unrequited robs me of my rest - Iolanthe - Tony Parkes
Air du tambour major - Le Caid (Ambroise Thomas) - Peter Stark
My eyes are fully opened - Ruddigore - Larry Seiler, Kathy Lague, Dennis O'Brien
12 noon
"Copying the Masters: Gilbert and Sullivan Parodies"
Coordinated by Larry Seiler.
Songs that use Sullivan’s music and Gilbert’s lyric structure to have fun with a whole new set of satiric targets.
The Platter Trio (Matter Trio, Ruddigore)
Larry Seiler, Kathy Lague, Dennis O'Brien as John the Baptist, Salome, and Herod
I am the very model of a Modern Vegetarian (Modern Major General, The Pirates of Penzance)
Thomas Ostrowski
The Baggins who Carries the Ring (The Flowers that Bloom in the Spring, The Mikado)
Jon Saul
Kat-EE-shaw's Rap (based on the character from The Mikado)
Paula Moravek with backup by Dennis O'Brien and Larry Seiler
A witty song can be very fun (An English Tar is a Soaring Soul, HMS Pinafore)
Mei-Lin Po, Paula Moravek, and Graham Daley
with chorus by Jon Saul, Tom Ostrowski and Walt Howe
Tom Lehrer's If you give me your attention (Princess Ida)
Walt Howe
A Wandering Punster (Wandering Minstrel, The Mikado)
Larry Seiler
Modern Major General Medley (The Pirates of Penzance)
The Company
Accompanists - Caroline Harvey and Div Slomin
12:00 - 1:30 pm
A light lunch will be available in Hawes Hall; proceeds will benefit the SUMC Youth Programs
1:30 pm in the Sanctuary - Official Welcome and Keynote Speech
"View from the Pit" or "14 operas and 8 recordings of G&S" presented by Keynote Speaker Mr. Royston Nash, conductor of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company in London from 1971 to 1979, followed by a question and answer Reception in Hawes Hall.
A memory from Royston Nash . . . "Performing HMS Pinafore at Windsor Castle for Queen Elizabeth and members of the Diplomatic Corps. The first time the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company had been invited to do this since Queen Victoria commanded a performance of The Gondoliers conducted by Sir Arthur Sullivan."
3:00 pm
"Not My Job: Unlikely Celebrities Sing G&S"
Presented by Tony Parkes.
What do Groucho Marx, Dinah Shore, Ella Fitzgerald, Danny Kaye, and Vincent Price have in common? They all sang songs by Gilbert and Sullivan. Through audio and video clips, we’ll relive the high (and low) points of G&S as performed by famous non-specialists in the genre.
4:00 pm in the Sanctuary
The Sudbury Savoyards 50th Anniversary Commemorative Video will be unveiled featuring historic photos and musical recordings from the very early years, video clips of the past twenty-five productions, back-stage and company photos, and stories by noteworthy members from the past through the present.
Dinner on your own ... enjoy many of the Sudbury Savoyards’ favorite local eating establishments.
7:00 pm
Museum and Shoppe re-opens in Hawes Hall.
8:00 pm in the Sanctuary
"Places, Please", a concert version of favorite G&S selections written by Benjamin Keaton and directed by Kathryn Denney. Featuring soloists from past productions and an ensemble chorus, accompanied by Roberta Sutter. Doors open at 7:30 pm.
9:00 pm
Join us for a reception celebrating Sir Arthur Sullivan’s 169th Birthday with cake and refreshments in Hawes Hall.
Sunday, May 15
9:30 am
The Sudbury Savoyards will present their annual donation check from the net proceeds of the 2011 production of Trial by Jury and H.M.S. Pinafore during the church service followed by coffee and fellowship in Hawes Hall.
Since the late 1970’s, over $190,000 has been donated by the Savoyards to UMCOR - the United Methodist Committee on Relief for world hunger. Heifer International has been the beneficiary for a number of years.
11:30 am
The Museum and Savoyard Shoppe reopen in Hawes Hall. Visit the Heifer International table and talk with their representative to see how wisely your donation dollars are used.
12 noon
"Behind the Scenes of The Sudbury Savoyards on a Grand Scale"
Coordinated by Technical Expert Tom Powers.
Panel discussion about what it takes to put on a Sudbury Savoyards production, with representatives from the technical and production aspects.
12 noon in the Sanctuary
Encore presentation of The 50th Anniversary Commemorative Video
1:00 pm
"G & S Jeopardy - Test your knowledge of Gilbert and Sullivan Trivia"
Hosted by recent Jeopardy contestant Kathy Lague
Come join us for a trivia contest relating to all things Gilbert and/or Sullivan. A brief overview:
- This will be a team challenge – teams can be any number of people from 1 (if you’re brave!) to 6. Team registration will happen at the beginning of the contest – but start thinking about your teammates and a team name now!
- Contest will consist of 4-5 rounds of 4 questions each. Each question is assigned a point value (1,3,5,7) by the team members as the questions are asked. You can only use each number once per round, so confidence in your answers and strategy are important!
- There will be one last bonus round where the point values increase – the lead can change drastically!
Complete rules will be explained at the beginning of the contest. This promises to be a lot of fun, so study up!
3:00 pm in the Sanctuary
"50 Years of Great Choruses"
Singalong co-sponsored by New England Gilbert and Sullivan Society (NEGASS) and directed by David C. Larrick, featuring soloists from recent and not-so-recent productions with a 14-piece orchestra.
All are welcome to attend and participate in the singing. Bring your scores or libretti and wear a costume depicting your favorite operetta! Doors open at 2:30 pm.
A list of songs, soloists, guest conductors, and orchestra members may be found HERE.
Click HERE for lyrics and sheet music for the Singalong.
4:30 pm in Hawes Hall
Reception to wrap up the weekend celebrations.