Tickets on sale for Opera Naples production of “H.M.S. Pinafore”
Opera Naples, one of Naples’ leading performing arts organizations, has announced the sale of tickets to the popular operetta HMS Pinafore by WS Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, featuring rising stars from its Resident Artists program. The productions will take place on February 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. at the Pulte Family Life Center at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Naples.
Louis Dall’Ava, a Gilbert and Sullivan veteran and director, will serve as stage director, with musical direction and piano accompaniment provided by Robin Frank, Head of Training at Opera Naples.
Since its premiere in 1878, Gilbert and Sullivan’s “HMS Pinafore” has been a classic, tried-and-true opera with endearing characters, memorable melodies, and a hilarious happy ending. This outstanding musical is a must-see for audiences of all ages.
Satire and silliness unfolds as the crew of the Pinafore explore how social class affects relationships. The captain’s daughter, Josephine, is torn between two loves – humble sailor Ralph and wealthy Sir Joseph Porter. Meanwhile, Little Buttercup, a poor peddler, is secretly in love with the captain. Chaos reigns aboard the ship until a long-kept secret is revealed, involving a case of mistaken identities that changes everything.
Sara LeMesh will take on the role of Josephine. LeMesh is a soprano who has been acclaimed for her “vocal majesty and expressive transparency” as a dramatic presence on the operatic stage, an avid chamber musician and a champion of contemporary music. In the summer of 2022 she was a fellow at the Marlboro Music Festival. Most recently, she covered and played the role of Young Leah/Lisa in the New York premiere of Lori Laitman’s Uncovered with City Lyric Opera.
Grace Skinner takes on the role of Little Buttercup. Skinner is a mezzo-soprano and recently received first prize in the Seattle Opera Guild’s Vocal Development Competition. She made her role debut with The Composer at Vashon Opera and has worked with Atlanta Opera in the role of Giulio Cesare and Utah Festival Opera in the role of Carmen. Skinner has been a vocal fellow on the prestigious Young Artists programs at the Music Academy of the West and the Aspen Music Festival.
SKINNER
Steven Ricks will appear in the role of Ralph Rackstraw. Ricks is a tenor and performed as a young artist with the Opera Theater of Saint Louis, the Palm Beach Opera,
Opera Saratoga and Idaho Falls Opera. He received the Encouragement Award from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in both 2018 and 2019, as well as third place in the Classical Singers Magazine Competition.
Jeffrey Goldberg takes on the role of Captain Corcoran. Goldberg is a baritone with a voice hailed as “intoxicating, throaty” and “ringing” who has performed roles such as Gugliemo from Mozart’s “Così fan tutte”, Dr. Falke and Eisenstein in Johann Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus”, Claudio in Berlioz’ “Beatrice et Benedict”, Bartolo and Antonio in Mozart’s “Le nozze di Figaro”, Peter in Humperdink’s “Hänsel und Gretel”, Simone in Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi ‘ and Howard in the Chicago premiere of David T. Little’s ‘Dog Days’, as well as several part roles.
GOLDBERG
In addition to the resident artists, students from Florida Gulf Coast University’s Bower School of Music & The Arts, Ave Maria University and local high schools will join the Opera Naples chorus for the production.
HMS Pinafore tickets range from $43 to $93. To reserve tickets, contact 239-963-9050 or visit OperaNaples.org. ¦
RICK
LEMESH
