Light Opera of Portland takes aim at fairytale love stories, extremist views, and the dangers of blind acceptance of doctrine, as it presents the latest in its successful run of Gilbert and Sullivan’s light operas at the Alpenrose Dairyville Opera House in September 2019.
The company will be presenting the rarely performed comic opera, Princess Ida, on September 20th, 21st, 22nd, 27th, 28th, and 29th. Coming between Iolanthe and The Mikado, this period is considered by many to be Gilbert and Sullivan at their creative best. As a central theme of this opera is the advancement of women’s education, Light Opera of Portland will be asking for donations for the Malala Fund, and their goal of increasing access to secondary education to girls around the world who may not otherwise have the chance to go to school.
Artistic Director, Dennis Britten, comments, “When this show was written, women’s education was looked at by some, including Gilbert, with a touch of amusement, but revisiting that humour does show the wonderful advancement education for women has had. This light opera also shows, as many G&S works do, the unexpected power of love, and the sway it has over us all.”
Prince Hilarion, son of proud King Hildebrand, was married as a baby to Princess Ida, daughter of the bitter and twisted King Gama. When Gama is unable to bring Princess Ida to Hildebrand’s court on the agreed date, Hilarion and two trusted friends set off on an adventure to claim her, only to discover that, not only does Ida not want to be claimed, but she and her students have dedicated their lives to the overthrow of “tyrannic man!” Hilarion and friends attempt to infiltrate the castle, disguising themselves as women, until the arrival of King Hildebrand and his army threatens to lead to a literal battle of the sexes.
Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 7:00pm, and Sunday performances will begin at 2:00pm. Tickets are available at www.lightoperaofportland.org.
See www.lightoperaofportland.org/princess-ida-2019/ for more information.
About LOoP: Now in its eighth year, the Light Opera of Portland is one of the few resident musical repertory companies in Oregon. As much an extended family as a group of players, the troupe brings together talented cast and crew members to perform live light opera and musical theatre productions, specialising in the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. More information is available at www.lightoperaofportland.org.
About the Alpenrose Opera House: Located at 6149 SW Shattuck Road, Portland OR 97221, the Alpenrose Opera House is the centerpiece of a replica western frontier town, which hosts nightly screenings of comedy shorts, as well as theatre performances by the Northwest Senior Theatre, and the Light Opera of Portland.
About the Malala Fund: Malala Fund is working for a world where every girl can learn and lead. Malala Fund works in regions where most girls miss out on secondary education. Our priority countries are Afghanistan, Brazil, India, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey.
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