If you've already sung most of the "traditional" Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, you'll find The Grand Duke new and different. If you're new to G&S, this will be a wonderful introduction to their musical sophistication and verbal wit. And if you'd like to work behind the scenes, this is the year to join one of our crews. Valley Light Opera wants you!

With sausage rolls, duels with playing cards, legal ghosts wooing terrified sweethearts, a succession of wanna-be duchesses, a can-can, roulette, and Grecian costumes from a performance of Troilus and Cressida that mercifully never occurs, the plot is a delicious confection of ingenious manoeuvres, and the music fairly sparkles!

Performances are November 2, 3, 4, 9, and 10, 2001.

You've never auditioned before? Almost none of our chorus members had before they came out that first time! While auditions are always nerve-wracking for newcomers and seasoned veterans alike, we try to make them as simple and non-threatening as possible. You will sing before a small committee of 5 or 6 people. We look for voice projection, intonation, musical quality, diction, and stage presence. An accompanist will be provided.

Directions: From the traffic light in the center of Amherst (Fleet Bank on one corner, Subway Sandwich Shop diagonally across), take Main Street east two blocks. The church is on the right, just beyond the police station. Park in the lot in the rear of the church, or on the street. (You can find the church at location 32 on the Amherst Walking Tour.)

Callbacks: If we feel we need more information in some cases to cast principals, we will hold a callback session on Monday, May 7 at 7:30 pm at the Amherst Regional High School auditorium.

Does the mere thought of auditions make your heart race and your head swim? Let us walk you through the process with an easy-going introduction to the fine art of selling yourself upon the wicked stage. Learn a simple song from us, or practice your own piece with an accompanist. Hear tips on stage presence, and get feedback if you want it.

Principals: If you are auditioning for a principal role, prepare a solo number for the character in The Grand Duke you hope to play. You will also be asked to read some dialogue.

Scores for all G&S operas will be available on the piano. If you bring your own music for a non-G&S piece and want piano accompaniment, please bring a copy for the accompanist as well.

The full score and an audio tape of The Grand Duke are available for copying at the circulation desk of the Jones Library in Amherst (location 10 on the Amherst Walking Tour).

Baroness von Krakenfeldt, wealthy but stingy, an aristocrat of some years. Declamatory, dictatorial, robust, exuberant, shrewd, dismissively aristocratic.
Contralto -- with a formidable presence and great comic flair.
Song - #21 (pp. 136-138) , "Come, bumpers--aye, ever so many"

Julia, leading lady in a theatrical company. Haughty, imperious, calculating, conscious of her position, elegantly theatrical.
Soprano -- a demanding role, calling for various, often instantaneous, moods and attitudes.
Song - #19 (pp. 124-129), "So ends my dream"

Lisa, soubrette in a theatrical company. Sweet, affectionate, emotional, loving, lovable, naive, consciously dutiful.
Soprano -- lyric (not dramatic), and given to weeping.
Song - #12d (pp. 90-91), "The die is cast"

Princess of Monte Carlo, nobly born but poorly bred. Cynical, worldly, spoiled, young, poutily aristocratic.
Soprano -- needs strong voice to hold her own in ensemble.
Song - #25 (pp. 147-149) - "We're rigged out in magnificent array"

Rudolph, Grand Duke of an insignificant duchy. Foppish, effete, ascetic, languid (but capable of exasperation), not so very old (think youthful Peter O'Toole).
Baritone -- with immaculate diction and fine comic timing.
Song - #9a (pp. 52-53), "A pattern to professors"

Ernest Dummkopf, acting manager of a theatrical company. Dogged, determined, lives up to his name, sentimental, possibly dull or dim-witted.
Tenor -- not vocally difficult, but musically demanding, especially in ensembles.
Song - #3 (pp. 15-16), "Were I a king"

Ludwig, leading comedian in a theatrical company. Jolly, blasé, opportunistic, clever, resilient, exuberantly bumbling.
Baritone -- very demanding large role, requiring excellent stage presence and projection.
Song - #14 (pp. 104-107), "At the outset I may mention"

Prince of Monte Carlo, nobly born but impoverished, and very French. Snobbish, pompous, offhand, lecherous, accommodating (think Peter Ustinov - any age).
Baritone -- must be able to sing in French convincingly, clearly, comically.
Song - #27 (pp. 153-157), "Take my advice"

Notary, local lawyer by name of Tannhäuser. Assured, supercilious; a "deus ex machina" figure who creates, propels, and resolves the plot.
Baritone -- mostly in ensembles, where he must blend well yet be forceful.
Song - Any G&S baritone solo

Herald, for the Prince of Monte Carlo. Stylish, elegant, sophisticated, quirky.
Baritone -- needs good diction and projection.
Song - #23 (pp. 141-144), "The Prince of Monte Carlo"

Chorus members are chamberlains, nobles, actors and actresses. There are a number of non-speaking parts with small solos.

Cami Elbow, (413) 549-0024

email: celbow@external.umass.edu

We express our gratitude and appreciation to BerkshireNet for hosting our Website. BerkshireNet (http://www.berkshire.net/) provides Internet services to Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Because we depend on each other, we take our rehearsal policy very seriously. We start and end rehearsals on time, and we work hard. If you are asked to join the company, your obligation is to attend all your scheduled rehearsals (except for sickness and emergencies), and to arrive early enough to be ready to rehearse at the scheduled time. Everyone who auditions will be asked to agree to this policy in writing, and anyone who cannot adhere to it will be dropped from the cast.

The backstage action is just as exciting and important as the music, and there are jobs for singers and non-singers alike. For most jobs experience is not required, and you decide how much time you are able to give! Everyone gets credit in the program and an invitation to the company party after we strike the set. Here are just a few of the possibilities.

Costumes -- We are famous for our dazzling costumes, which we sew during rehearsals and on weekends.

Sets -- Help us turn plywood and paint into magic on weekends. We supply pizza and subs!

Make-up -- Transform the cast, starting about two hours before each performance.

Stage and hall crew . . . Lighting . . . Proofreading . . . Ushers . . . Souvenir Sales . . .

These are only some of the jobs available. Check out others.

Juli Holmes, our new music director, is conductor of the Amherst Community Band and also teaches instrumental music in Franklin County elementary schools. She played horn in the VLO orchestra for Iolanthe, and has played with Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra for ten years. We welcome her as our first female conductor!

Dick Gregory, costume designer, has been the source of exquisite costumes for numerous VLO shows, most recently The Pirates of Penzance and Patience.

Chris Riddle, set designer, created the magnificent set for last year's Iolanthe.

Cami Elbow is coordinating producer, joined once again by John Foster and Elaine Walker.

Calendars are only $12 (plus $2 shipping/handling).

To order, call Jim Walker (413-253-9662).

You may wish to return to the VLO Home Page.