Orchestra, opera ensemble plan 'The Yeomen'

The Paradigm Chamber Orchestra and the Utah Lyric Opera Ensemble are teaming up once again for their third collaboration in as many years.

This time they're presenting Gilbert and Sullivan's rarely staged operetta "The Yeomen of the Guard" for two performances.

"This has been a good collaboration between Paradigm and Robert Breault's group, and we're looking forward to this production," said Paradigm music director Joel Rosenberg, who will conduct the performances.

Rosenberg noted that "The Yeomen of the Guard" is a departure from the other Gilbert and Sullivan collaborations. "This is the eleventh of their 14 collaborations," he said. "By this point, Sullivan didn't want to write any more operettas. So he didn't collaborate with Gilbert for a long time. But they finally got together and wrote 'Yeomen.'  "

While it has all the mistaken identities and plot twists and other elements one expects in a Gilbert and Sullivan piece, "The Yeomen of the Guard" has a much more serious undertone. In fact, it's the closest the two ever came to writing a full-blown opera — but one with spoken dialogue.

"Emotionally it's very engaging," Rosenberg said. "It runs from joy to despair, from love to sacrifice."

The story takes place in the 16th century during Shakespeare's time. An officer, Colonel Fairfax, has been falsely accused of sorcery by his cousin and is sentenced to be beheaded. But in order to avoid having his estate pass to his hated cousin, Fairfax secretly marries the woman he loves. But at the last minute, Fairfax manages to escape the Tower of London.

The plot against him is then revealed and he and his bride, who was going to be a widow shortly after their marriage, renew their wedding vows and live happily ever after.

"I think this is one of their most delightful works," Rosenberg said. "It's great for families. It's a musical for all ages."

Joining the Paradigm Chamber Orchestra and members of the Utah Lyric Opera Ensemble is the University of Utah's A Cappella Choir. The work will be semi-staged and costumed.

If you go ...

What: Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Yeomen of the Guard"

Where: Thompson Chamber Music Hall, David Gardner Hall, University of Utah

When: Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Libby Gardner Concert Hall, University of Utah

When: Feb. 22, 2 p.m.

How much: $10 general admission, $5 students (at the door)

E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com