Audition Notice
THE GONDOLIERS
by WS Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan
Director: Paul Treasure
Musical Director: Blake Houlahan
Production company: The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of WA
Casting Lead roles and Chorus – all ethnicities welcome!
Audition dates:
• Saturday, 27 January 2024
• Sunday, 28 January 2024
Show season: 16 – 25 May 2024 (9 performances) at Dolphin Theatre, Crawley.
To express interest or book an audition time contact:
Roger Starbuck – 0428 763 478 – auditions@gandswa.org.au
If you are unavailable on the weekend of 27 / 28 January 2024, please send an email to Roger expressing your interest and he will advise further.
SYNOPSIS
The twelfth collaboration between composer Arthur Sullivan and librettist W.S. Gilbert, The Gondoliers (or The King of Barataria) tells the story of two charming Venetian gondoliers, Giuseppe and Marco, who are informed that due to an error of identity when they were young boys, one of them is the heir to the throne of Barataria. They are delighted with the situation and agree to share the responsibilities of governing their new kingdom until it can be ascertained which of them is which, but matters are complicated when the Duke and Duchess of Plaza Toro reveal that their beautiful daughter, Casilda, was married to the future king as an infant. The problem? Giuseppe and Marco are both newly married to the contadine Tessa and Gianetta, and Casilda is in love with her father’s attendant, Luiz. Since its premiere in 1889, The Gondoliers has delighted audiences with its memorable score by Sullivan, and its political satire, cleverly tucked into Gilbert’s witty plot line.
(courtesy of Stage Agent)
Characters:
The Duke of Plaza-Toro (comic baritone): a Spanish nobleman of ancient lineage. The archetypal G&S ‘patter man’. Comic solo and duet with the Duchess plus more.
Luiz (lyric baritone or tenor): Employed in the service of the Duke of Plaza-Toro. Sings a couple of romantic duets with Casilda. Required to produce a few drum rolls!
Don Alhambra del Bolero (bass-baritone): The Grand Inquisitor and therefore ‘feared’ by all. A character part. Takes the lead in a quintet and a trio.
Marco Palmieri (tenor): One of two leading Venetian gondoliers. Heavily involved musically in duets, quartets, with the chorus and has a solo song. Paired romantically with Gianetta.
Giuseppe Palmieri (baritone): One of two leading Venetian gondoliers. Heavily involved musically in duets, quartets, and with the chorus. Paired romantically with Tessa.
Antonio (baritone): a Venetian gondolier. Has a solo at the start of the show and additional lines and action to that in the libretto.
Francesco (tenor): a Venetian gondolier. Has a solo at the start of the show and additional lines and action to that in the libretto.
Giorgio (bass): A gondolier which will have a few individual lines to sing in the chorus and additional lines and action to that in the libretto.
The Duchess of Plaza-Toro (contralto): Comically overbearing wife of the Duke. Mother of Casilda. Solo and duet with the Duke plus more.
Casilda (soprano): Daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Plaza Toro. Heavily involved musically – trios, duets, quintets.
Gianetta (soprano): a Contadina. Heavily involved musically in duets, quartets, with the chorus. Paired romantically with Marco.
Tessa (mezzo-soprano): a Contadina. Heavily involved musically in duets, quartets, with the chorus and has a solo song. Paired romantically with Giuseppe.
Fiametta (soprano): a Contadina.
Vittoria (mezzo-soprano): a Contadina.
Giulia (mezzo-soprano or soprano): a Contadina.
Inez (contralto): foster mother to Marco and Giuseppe.
Male Chorus of Gondoliers, Men-at-Arms, Heralds and Pages (all vocal types)
Female Chorus of Contadine or peasant women of Venice (all vocal types)
Audition notes:
Auditionees must prepare one song, in English, to be sung with piano accompaniment.
Auditionees must provide 2 copies of the sheet music for their chosen song, unless it is from the G&S repertoire.
Additional notes:
Rehearsals are scheduled for Monday and Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons unless otherwise advised. You may not be required for all of these scheduled times; all cast and crew will receive detailed rosters during the rehearsal period. The first call will be a “Meet & Greet” on Monday, 19 February.
If you would like to volunteer to help out behind-the-scenes i.e. props, costumes, set, bump-in etc. we would love to meet you! Please send an email to Max Page, Production Manager: productions@gandswa.org.au to discuss further. Thank you.