The Mikado - Gilbert and Sullivan (Opera Australia DVD)

UPC: 5060266600234

Product Features

• Title: The Mikado
• Composer: Gilbert and Sullivan
• Performers:Chorus and Orchestra: Opera Australia Chorus, Orchestra Victoria
  • Mitchell Butel as Ko-Ko
  • Kanen Breen as Nanki-Poo
  • Taryn Fiebig as Yum-Yum
  • Warwick Fyfe as Pooh-Bah
  • Jacqueline Dark as Katisha
  • Richard Alexander as The Mikado
  • Samuel Dundas as Pish-Tush
  • Dominica Matthews as Pitti-Sing
  • Annabelle Chaffey as Peep-Bo
  • Tom Hamilton as a Nobleman
• Conductor: Brian Castles-Onion
• Director: Stuart Maunder
• Designer: Tim Goodchild
• Choreographer: Carole Todd
• Lighting Designer: Derek Coutts
• Audio Format: DTS, NTSC (All Regions)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian
• Run Time: Approx. 154 minutes
• Extras:
  • "Jacqueline Dark becomes Katisha" featurette
  • Cast gallery

Overview

The Mikado, one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most beloved and enduring comic operettas, is brought to life in this spectacular production by Opera Australia. Directed by Stuart Maunder, this performance blends whimsical humor, vivid characters, and iconic melodies, set against the backdrop of a fantastical Japan. The opera’s detailed, lavish sets and costumes heighten its comedic flair, while the music—under the masterful baton of Brian Castles-Onion—brings Gilbert and Sullivan’s delightful score to life.

Mitchell Butel shines as Ko-Ko, the beleaguered Lord High Executioner, delivering impeccable comic timing and vocal excellence. Kanen Breen’s portrayal of Nanki-Poo, the wandering minstrel, is full of charm and optimism, even in dire circumstances. Jacqueline Dark delivers a standout performance as the formidable Katisha, bringing depth and emotion to her role. The opera’s famous ensemble numbers, like the hilarious "Three Little Maids" featuring Taryn Fiebig as Yum-Yum, provide non-stop entertainment.

This DVD captures the wit, humor, and musical brilliance of one of Gilbert and Sullivan's finest works, ensuring that the whole production sparkles from start to finish.

Interesting Facts

• The Mikado premiered in 1885 and quickly became one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular operettas, with its witty satire and memorable melodies.
• Mitchell Butel, a multi-award-winning performer, is celebrated for his comic prowess, especially in roles like Ko-Ko, where his comedic timing shines.
• Jacqueline Dark, who portrays Katisha, is an acclaimed opera singer known for her rich, powerful mezzo-soprano voice.
• Orchestra Victoria, under the direction of Brian Castles-Onion, brings vibrant energy to Sullivan’s delightful score, maintaining its buoyancy and wit.
• The operetta playfully satirizes British bureaucracy and society by setting its story in an imagined Japan, which adds to the whimsical charm of the production.

Track Listing

1. The Mikado (Complete performance)
   • Act 1: Introduction to characters and the comical plots of love and execution
   • Act 2: Resolution of the tangled romantic and political situation in Titipu
2. Bonus Features:
   • Featurette: "Jacqueline Dark becomes Katisha"
   • Cast gallery

Publishers

• Opera Australia
• Distributed by: Opus Arte

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