Music Reviews

Feb 20, 2010 - Nevada Opera manages a cool and unusual hit with a more or less concert version of "H.M.S. Pinafore"

By Jack Neal

At first sniff from whatever Victorian types used to sniff, it seemed like a concert version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore” would be a not very good idea. Nevada Opera has not had much good luck recently and what the company needs is a great big hit.

The season opening “Carmen” was an aging “Carmen” that disappointed. And now this. A semi-staged “H.M.S. Pinafore.” The orchestra is on stage. There are minimal sets. The action is all played downstage. There’s much that’s lost with such a set-up – the fun and games interplay of Gilbert and Sullivan. On the other hand there’s much to be gained – a real appreciation for a lovely score with real attention paid to it.

Conductor Michael Borowitz, who contrived the whole thing, brought great musicality to the score. His singers, including the Nevada Opera Chorus, responded with unusually precise and affecting singing. The Orchestra played with great attention to detail for a reading of robust vibrancy.

Borowitz has put together a strong list of principals who all impress. Olivia Hakel is wonderful as Little Buttercup. Rick Michaelson brings the fervor of a young man to Bill Bobstay, Boatswain. A lovely tenor voice which wanders ever so slightly off course as a young man in love might find controlling emotions tough. I love Rick Cornell as Dick Deadeye, Able Seaman, and Jack Beetle as Ralph Rickshaw, Able Seaman.

Mark Walters is a superb Captain Cocoran, Commander of the H.M.S. Pinafore. Big voiced and very comfortably in command Walters could not be better. His daughter, Josephine is sung by Amanda Kingston in an first-rate Nevada Opera debut. A lovely, statuesque artist who has a soaring soprano voice that just glides off all those wonderful Gilbert and Sullivan phrases Kingston as star wattage. Travis Richter was excellent, if a bit small voiced, as First Lord of the Admiralty. Jean Driver, Phil Boardman and Alden Homansfar complete the formidable list of principals and I enjoyed them all.

Summing up? Nevada Opera doesn’t just come close to having a hit with its concert version of “H.M.S. Pinafore.” It has a cool and unusual one.

Nevada Opera’s “H.M.S. Pinafore” can be seen at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 South Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada, Friday, February 19, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 2 p.m. For information call 775-746-4046.