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H.M.S. Pinafore, or The Lass
that Loved a Sailor is a brilliant satire on the English Navy
under Queen Victoria. Gilbert's wit is at its most sparkling
and imbues the opera with mirth and silliness to spare.
The opera builds upon love
between members of different social classes. The gentlemanly
captain of the Pinafore, who claims that he would never swear
at his crew ("What, never?") does not know that his
daughter has fallen in love with a common sailor serving on her
father's ship. Meanwhile, the Captain has arranged for her to
marry the First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Joseph Porter KCB,
who has himself risen from humble beginnings to gain his office
by political acumen, despite having never gone to sea! And the
Captain himself fancies a poor bumboat woman. Fear not: it all
works out in the end. Hip, hip, hoorah!
This concert performance is done with the usual Kentish Opera
flair, with chamber orchestra and costumed professional soloists,
along with the superb Kentish Opera chorus. It is directed by
Stephen Anthony Brown, with Robyn Sevastos as Musical Director.
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