This autumn Opera North presents Gilbert & Sullivan’s opera Ruddigore with a fresh approach: Director Jo Davis brings the story forward from its Victorian melodrama period to the 1920’s/silent movie era and her interpretation had already been hailed as a masterpiece when it was first shown in 2009. Ruddigore is one of the lesser known works in the G&S canon, but in the opinion of G&S aficionados includes some of the best music Sullivan ever wrote.

The story revolves around Sir Despard Murgatroyd, a man under pressure as he has inherited a witch’s curse forcing him to commit a crime a day or die in agony. It comes as a relief to him when shy Robin Oakapple is revealed as his long-lost elder brother – true inheritor of the curse. Robin’s chances with the prim Rose Maybud look doomed, but his troubles really start when his feeble crimes drag his exasperated ancestors back from the dead.

The Guardian wrote: ‘Jo Davies’s terrific new production is one of the great Gilbert & Sullivan stagings – on a par with Jonathan Miller’s famous production of The Mikado and just as worthy of cult status in years to come.’

Opera North performs Ruddigore throughout October and November and will take it also on tour – check the website http://www.operanorth.co.uk/events/ruddigore/ for performance information.

The Opus Arte catalogue features productions of The Mikado, The Gondoliers, Trial by Jury, HMS Pinafore and Patience from Opera Australia, now available in a specially priced box set.

http://www.opusarte.com/en/gilbert-and-sullivan-box-set.html

Also available are a historic recording of Ruddigore from the D’Oyly Carte Company) http://www.opusarte.com/en/ruddigore-godfrey-d-oyly-carte-opera-chorus-1518.html and a version conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent http://www.opusarte.com/en/ruddigore-merchant-of-venice-suite-sargent-pro-arte-orch-5f5e.html .