Opera, symphony shine in 'Gondoliers'

"THE GONDOLIERS," UTAH OPERA, Deer Valley Amphitheatre, Wednesday; additional performances Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. (355-2787)

When you find a winning formula, you don't change it. You keep it and hope it continues to bring you success.

With Gilbert and Sullivan, the Deer Valley Music Festival has definitely found a winner. Since the festival began four years ago, the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan have been a major part of it. During the first three years, audiences have been treated to the duo's most popular works ("The Mikado," "H.M.S. Pinafore" and "The Pirates of Penzance"). This weekend, "The Gondoliers," Gilbert and Sullivan's last commercial success, is on the program.

One of the most tuneful works penned by Arthur Sullivan, its story is one of those typically dizzy tales of mistaken identities that W.S. Gilbert excelled at concocting.

Marco and Giuseppe Palmieri, gondoliers in Venice and newly married to Gianetta and Tessa, are brothers — or so they think. One, however, is in fact the rightful heir to the throne of Barataria. But which one is it? Not until the end of Act II is everything skillfully unraveled, revealing that Luiz, the drummer boy of the duke and duchess of Plaza Toro, is actually the true heir to the throne. And fortunately for him and Casilda, the daughter of the duke and duchess, since they are in love with each other and, as it turns out, have been married to one another since infancy.

For this delightful romp, Sullivan wrote some of his most scintillating and mellifluous scores. Among the many captivating pieces are "There Was A Time," sung by Luiz and Casilda; Tessa's "When A Merry Maiden Marries;" Gianetta's "Kind Sir You Cannot Have the Heart;" Marco's "Take A Pair of Sparkling Eyes;" and the quartet "A Regular Royal Queen," Queen Victoria's favorite song from this work.

Adding to the success of past G&S performances is the cast, which is in large part once again reunited for "The Gondoliers."

Leading off the large cast of singers is tenor George Dyer as Marco, baritone Andrew Garland as Giuseppe, soprano Lisa Vroman as Gianetta and mezzo-soprano Kirsten Gunlogson as Tessa. They are wonderful together in ensemble numbers and in individual arias. And their acting is on an equal footing with their vocal talents. They bring the right amount of humor to their respective roles, as well as depth and wonderful conviction.