The Boatswain's Mate and Susanna's Secret - Mendocino Chamber Opera Sunday, February 11, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. at the Gualala Arts Center

Local Eyes will present a Sunday, February 11 comic-opera double bill at 4:00 p.m. The Boatswain's Mate by the English composer Ethyl Smyth (1858-1944), and Susanna's Secret by the German-Italian composer Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari (1876-1948) will be performed at Gualala Arts Center.

Both are representative of early 20th century romanticism, the first very English, partly in the style of Gilbert & Sullivan, and the second quite convincingly Italian. Both are comedies but quite different in their approach. The Boatswain's Mate had a highly successful run on London's west end stage, as much for its appeal to theater-goers as for its charming musical qualities. Susanna's Secret is lusciously musical with broadly comic musical parody.

Featured in Susanna's Secret are soprano Amy White as the young bride, Susanna, and base/baritone Dan Fowler as her very jealous husband. The stage director is Jerry Greenberg, while Richard Goodman performs the piano score. The cast of The Boatswain's Mate includes soprano Elaine Miksak as the heroic Mrs. Waters - keeper of the Beehive public house; tenor Nick Reid as Harry Benn, a suitor; Richard Goodman as Ned Travers, an unemployed army veteran; and Jary Stavely as a traditionally confused English policeman. The staging is by Richard Goodman and Jerry Greenberg, with pianist Steve Gray as accompanist.

The production is fully staged and has a playing time of one hour and forty-five minutes. Tickets can be purchased through Gualala Arts. Ticket prices are $15 in advance or $20 day of show.

The Gualala Arts Center is located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, CA.
Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information or to purchase tickets.