The Ambrosian Opera Chorus Movies
Gilbert & Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore opens with the crew of the Pinafore busily and boisterously sprucing up the deck for the arrival of Sir Joseph Porter, a high-ranking admiral. They pause only to buy wares from the peddler called Little Buttercup and then return happily to work. But not all are so happy. Ralph Rackstraw, "the smartest lad in all the fleet," is in love with the Captain's daughter, Josephine, who has been promised to Porter. In spite of this -- and the fact that Josephine and he are far apart in terms of class -- Ralph pursues her, and she eventually confesses her own love for him. The two young lovers plan to elope, but the Captain learns of her plans and puts a halt to them. Porter, furious at Ralph's impertinence, has him imprisoned. At that moment, Buttercup reveals a tremendous secret: Many years in the past, she had been given charge of two babies, one of good family and one of lower status. These turn out to be Ralph and the Captain -- but Buttercup further reveals that she had accidentally switched them. Thus, Ralph is of noble birth and the Captain comes from poverty -- and therefore, Josephine is also of the lower class and no longer a fit mate for Porter. However, the newly-ennobled Ralph has no such reservations, and gladly takes Josephine to be his wife. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Marshall, Frankie Howerd, (more)
The London Symphony Orchestra assists Eric Shilling, Keith Michell, Francis Egerton, and Tom McDonnell in a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers. The story concerns two gondoliers who must choose a wife from two-dozen prospective mates. Royal intrigue and mystery add the plot complications common to the work of Gilbert and Sullivan. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric Shilling, Keith Michell, (more)
Claire Powell stars as Phoebe Meryll in this production of one of Gilbert & Sullivan's more serious operas, which revolves around the impending execution of Colonel Fairfax. Phoebe's father, who has twice saved Fairfax's life, devises a plan to disguise him as a yeoman to help him escape. Meanwhile, the jester Jack Point arrives with his sweetheart Elsie, and both are caught up in the escape plans with results unlike any other Gilbert & Sullivan opera. Conducted by Alexander Faris, the London Symphony Orchestra provides the music. The Yeoman of the Guard also features Joel Grey, David Hillman, Alfred Marks, and Elizabeth Gale. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Gale, Joel Grey, (more)
Gilbert & Sullivan's immortal musical The Pirates of Penzance is performed live on-stage in this release from Acorn Media. The play tells the story of a young man who's accidental pirate apprenticeship threatens to do in the titular band of swashbucklers. Along with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Ambrosian Opera Chorus, the 1982 performance stars Keith Michell, Alexander Oliver, Janis Kelly, Paul Hudson, and Peter Allen. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Keith Michell, Alexander Oliver, (more)
This performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta Patience, tells the story of a small town that is rife with silly and strange romantic entanglements--from a clueless milkmaid to a bogus poet. This production features the London Symphony Orchestra and the Ambrosian Opera Chorus. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
This BBC production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame is the fifth (at least!) dramatization of Victor Hugo's novel Notre Dame de Paris. It should not confused with the elaborate 1982 TV-movie version starring Anthony Hopkins as deformed hunchbacked bell ringer Quasimodo, if only for one important reason: The BBC version was shot on videotape, then transferred (unsatisfactorily) to film. The Hunchback, usually the star role in most versions of this tale of 15th- century Paris, is played by the relatively unknown Warren Clarke, while the biggest name in the production, British actor Kenneth Haigh, is top-billed as Claude Frollo, Archbishop of Notre Dame. Michelle Newell is gypsy girl Esmerelda, whose strange alliance with Quasimodo motivates the interwoven intrigues of Hugo's story. This Hunchback of Notre Dame was closer to the original than most versions, but because of its ragged pictorial quality was forgotten almost immediately after its American TV debut in July of 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
