The Gondoliers

1889

Music by Arthur Sullivan
Libretto by William Gilbert

On June 26, 1979, the Ohio Light Opera inaugurated its premiere season with a production of The Gondoliers.  This comic opera, the last great success of Gilbert and Sullivan, is set in 1750 Venice and features what for many is the pair's most lilting, sparkling, and dance-filled score.  The story deals with two foster brothers, gondoliers Marco and Giuseppe, who learn that one of them—but which one?—is presumably the heir to the throne of Barataria and was wed as an infant to Casilda, daughter of the impoverished Duke and Duchess of Plaza-Toro.  The two gondoliers, however, through a game of blind man's bluff, have selected and married Gianetta and Tessa.  The Duke has come to Venice to seek the missing monarch for his daughter's hand.  To further complicate matters, Casilda is in love with Luiz, the Duke's attendant.  But … things are seldom what they seem!  Song hits include "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes" and the ever-captivating "Dance a Cachuca.”