Past Productions
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2008 ]
Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni
Trial by Jury by Gilbert and Sullivan (October 2004)
 In October 2004 we presented a double bill of productions: Mascagni’s one act opera Cavalleria Rusticana and Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta Trial by Jury at the Montgomery Theatre, Sheffield.
Cavalleria Rusticana features some beatiful music, including the famous ‘Easter hymn’. SCO’s production starred Ernesto Coreas, Joanna Shacklock,Christine Stubbs, Christine Ayres and Stephen Godward.
Although Trial by Jury was one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s first collaberations and is written in only one Act, it remains a favourite. Steve Andrews and Tom Carlisle shared the roles of Judge and Foreman, Mitzi Matlock played the Plaintiff, Andrew McFee the Defendent, and they were well supported by Mike Tipler and Melvyn Osborne as Usher and Counsel for the Plaintiff.
Both productions were directed by Freda Chapple and conducted by Musical Director David Barnard.
A Gala Night of Song (March 2004)
 Sheffield City Opera’s sell-out concert, A Gala Night of Song at the Rotherham Civic Theatre included some of the most thrillingly beautiful arias, songs and choruses ever written, with excerpts from Cavalleria Rusticana, Madam Butterfly, La Boheme, Aida, Kismet, Trial by Jury, South Pacific, Land of Smiles, and Samson and Delilah.
Among the highlights were One Fine Day, Pearl Fishers Duet, Lakme Flower Duet, Nessun Dorma, Hebrew Slaves Chorus, Softly Awakes My Heart and Baubles Bangles and Beads.
The concert featured some of the finest singers in the region, including star soprano Sharon Nicholson-Skeggs and international baritone Mike De Costa, Val Parker, Andrew Lockwood, Mike Tipler, Steve Andrews and Janice Hancock. The musical director was Suzanne Winter and the accompanist was Irene McCreath with the SCO chorus.
Comments from the Rotherham Advertiser included:
“Things couldn’t get much better for Sheffield City Opera in terms of public response” as “There was another sell-out with a waiting list for tickets at the Civic Theatre for the Gala Night of Song.”
“There were plenty of outstanding plusses.” These included SCO soloists, “Andrew [Lockwood] is an excellent singer...fine interpretation of Nessun Dorma,” “Janice has superb clarity and range,” “Sharon Nicholson-Skeggs...powerful presence and a wonderful operatic voice,” and “Val Parker, a performer with true star quality.”
“The triumphant Easter Hymn provided a glorious finale...to a popular and meaningful programme.”
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