OPERA
1996 ANNUAL FESTIVAL ISSUE
“Wooster: G&S Reworked”
“Great interest centered on a production of ‘Thespis’ (Gilbert & Sullivan’s first collaboration) in the premiere (July 16) of new music for it by the composer-tenor Quade Winter. Except for two pieces, Sullivan’s score disappeared long ago. ‘Climbing Over Rocky Mountain’ was transferred to ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ and ‘Little Maid of Arcadee’ was published separately. Some years ago Winter composed a score for ‘Thespis’ in keeping with Sullivan’s style. By chance he read an article about OLO in OPERA and contacted the company’s artistic director, James Stuart, about producing the work. Winter’s score is sheer delight, a wealth of smiling tunes, bubbling froth, patter songs and ballads. It’s a graceful compliment to Sullivan and those who influenced him — Mendelssohn, Bellini, Rossini. With no performance tradition to observe and a youthful cast that could scarcely be bettered, the producer James Stuart gave free rein to his lively wit and imagination, unleashing a rolling juggernaut of clever comedy.”
—CHARLES H. PARSONS