Smooth sailing for 'Gondoliers'

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

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

With Gilbert & Sullivan, the Deer Valley Music Festival has definitely found a winner. Their operettas have been a major part of the festival since it began four years ago. During the first three years, audiences were treated to the duo's most popular works. This weekend, "The Gondoliers," Gilbert & Sullivan's last commercial success, is on the program.

It is one of the most tuneful works penned by Arthur Sullivan, and the 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 believed to be 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 the true heir to the throne. The turn of events is fortunate for him and Casilda, the daughter of the duke and duchess. The two are very much in love, and as it happens, they have been married to each other 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 talented ensemble 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 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.

No less fun to watch are baritone Michael Wanko and mezzo-soprano Melissa Parks as the duke and duchess of Plaza Toro. Their chemistry sparkles and their comic genius and timing is remarkable; they come close to stealing the show.

Bass-baritone Derrick Parker as Don Alhambra is also fabulous. Soprano Heather Parker as Casilda and tenor Ryan MacPherson as Luiz are admirable. And Anne Cullimore Decker in the small but significant role of Inez is a treasure. The Utah Opera Chorus is, as always, a joy to watch and hear.

Conductor Gerald Steichen's tempos and stage director Patricia Weinmann's pacing are on the mark, and the Utah Symphony plays radiantly.

If you haven't yet been to a Deer Valley concert this summer, this is the one show you'll want to go to. In fact, it's one you simply can't miss.

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E-mail: scott@desnews.com