cARTwheels

Pirates Ahoy!—Grab your peg-leg and pet parrot, the pirates are touring North Carolina in Opera Carolina's production of Gilbert and Sullivan's playful comedy The Pirates of Penzance!

Opera Carolina is proud to participate in the statewide touring program cARTwheels with a fully staged production of The Pirates of Penzance. Pirates will be presented in four counties throughout North Carolina: Alleghany, Cumberland, Dare, and Moore from February 18 through February 29. The 50- minute production is age appropriate for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders and teachers will receive a performance guide to prepare the students to attend the performances.

Chad Calvert, Opera Carolina's Resident Stage Director, is staging the production with Opera Carolina's Resident Artists starring in the lead roles of Mabel, Ruth, Frederic and the Pirate King. Emily Jarrell Urbanek, Opera Carolina's Music Director, will provide musical direction for the production and the 10-piece traveling orchestra. Six members of the Opera Carolina chorus will round out the zany cast.

The Pirates of Penzance was written in 1879 by the successful team of Gilbert and Sullivan. The comic opera pokes fun at Major General Stanley and his feeble attempt to be a "modern major general." We are certain that the students will delight in following the zany antics of the pirates, the ladies, and the Major General Stanley.

cARTwheels is funded by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, a state agency, Lisbeth C. Evans, Secretary.

To download The Pirates of Penzance opera study guide, click here.

  • Download a clip of "Major-General's Song" (MP3)
  • Download a clip of "Poor Wandering One" (MP3)
  • Download a clip of "With Cat-Like Tread" (MP3)

Opera Carolina Education Contact:
Teresa Robertson, Director of Education & Community Relations
704.332.7177 ext. 202
teresa@operacarolina.org

Opera Carolina cARTwheels Tour Schedule

(Current as of 12/20/07)

February 19, 2008 Alleghany County
Alleghany County Arts Council–Sparta School Auditorium
February 22, 2008 Dare County
Dare County Arts Council–First Flight High School
February 26, 2008 Moore County
Moore County Arts CouncilÑPinecrest High School Auditorium
February 27-29, 2008 Cumberland County
Fayetteville State University–Seabrook Auditorium

To download a printable tour schedule, click here.

Opera Carolina Tour Schedule Contact:
Michael Baumgarten, Director of Production
704.332.7177 ext. 212
michael@operacarolina.org