The Pacific University Music Department presents HMS Pinafore, a comic opera composed by Arthur Sullivan and W.S. Gilbert.
Set aboard a British warship by the name of HMS Pinafore, the opera story’s complex triangle of forbidden love across lines of social class criticizes the British class system and humorously ridicules party politics and the Royal Navy.
The cast consists of students from Pacific’s chamber choir, directed by Anne McKee Reed. The orchestra consists of students from Pacific’s symphonic band and orchestra, directed by Dr. Michael Burch-Pesses.
“It’s fun to collaborate with vocalists because I’m an orchestra member so I don’t get that chance a lot,” said sophomore Betsy Hesser.
The Pacific cast received the opera scores to study shortly before winter break and have had the months of January and February to rehearse.
“We rehearse twice a week and there will be rehearsal every night the last week of February,” said Betsy.
The show will take place in McCready Hall in Taylor-Meade. Performances are set on Friday, March 1, and Saturday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 3 at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $15, or $10 for senior citizens and students.
On opening night Friday, March 1, there are $35 tickets available that allow guests access to a reception in the campus library. This offer includes beverages and hors d’oeuvres at the reception and reserved seating for that night’s performance.
“We really enjoy working on it. It’s a fun group of people and the music is fun and light hearted,” said Betsy.
Tickets are available online at pacificu.edu/MusicTickets.
Leave a Reply