Modern major generals take note: The “Pirates of Penzance” will be coming to Seoul as the Camarata Music Company’s summer musical stage performance.
Set in Victorian England, the Gilbert and Sullivan comic operetta tells the story of Frederic, who apprenticed as a pirate after his mother misheard her husband’s wish for him to be a ship’s pilot.
From there the farce continues. Frederic is to apprentice until his 21st birthday, but he discovers that as he is born on a leap day, this will not happen until he is 84.
The Pirates of Penzance was the Camarata Music Company’s first ever summer musical show, performed as the group’s third full-scale performance in 2010. This time it is returning with a bigger cast.
CMC’s director, Ryan Goessl, said that the attraction of the show was that it was fun and entertaining for audiences, but a little more challenging for the singers than a regular musical.
“It‘s funny, it’s a big audience-pleaser and it gives the cast a chance to do more ‘legitimate’ singing,” he said, referring to the more technical aspects of the performance.
“They can dive into their voices a little bit deeper,” he said.
Aside from the summer musicals, Camarata also has an auditioned chamber choir, a general choir and an orchestra.
The CMC also set up a children’s choir this year, holding its first concert on Saturday.
“It was a very special launch of the children‘s choir and we are looking forward to having even more kids when the choir starts up again in August,” said Goessl.
Three members of the choir will be performing in “The Pirates of Penzance.”
Performances will be staged at the Seoul Jazz Academy near Hyehwa Station on June 13 and 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are 30,000 won ($27) at the door or 20,000 won in advance, available by contacting tickets@camaratamusic.com.
For more information, visit camaratamusic.com.
By Paul Kerry (paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)
