WHEN Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Gondoliers was first performed in 1889 it was an instant success – so much so that it received the honour of a private performance at Windsor Castle in the presence of Queen Victoria two years later.

Now the opera receives another ‘Royal’ performance – when York Opera brings its production to York Theatre Royal.

This is the third time York Opera has staged The Gondoliers. The first production was in the Joseph Rowntree Theatre in 1979 and more recently in 2006 at York Theatre Royal.

The production’s Musical Director Alasdair Jamieson and Stage Director Pauline Marshall have collaborated on all but one of York Opera’s G&S shows at York Theatre Royal over the past 20 years.

The husband and wife team John and Maggie Soper also work together again with John as set and publicity designer and Maggie as designer and co-ordinator of costumes.

Jane Woolgar joins the team as choreographer and Glen Jackson brings his expertise to the famous Cachucha dance. The outstanding numbers include Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes, A Regular Royal Queen and When a Maiden Marries.

The opera is set in Venice - a strongly republican state - and in the palace of the King in Barataria.

The plot revolves around the identity of the new King of Barataria, who was stolen in infancy by the Inquisition and raised by a ‘highly respectable gondolier’ alongside his own infant son.

Unfortunately the said gondolier, although highly respectable, has a ‘terrible taste for tippling’ and eventually cannot remember which of the children is his own.

The plot gives Gilbert the opportunity to take a bit of a swipe at republicanism and egalitarianism before it all gets happily sorted out.

Along the way the opera’s outstanding numbers include Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes, A Regular Royal Queen and When a Maiden Marries.The York Opera cast in this predominately youthful opera is a mix of youth and experience, led by John Soper as the Duke of Plaza Toro with Rebecca Smith as his Duchess. Soprano Alexandra Mather, recently returned from a prestigious opera course at Glyndebourne, plays their daughter Casilda, alongside regular soloist Michael Foster as Luiz..

Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Gondoliers is at York Theatre Royal from October 22 – 26 . For tickets contact the box office on 01904 623568 or go to yorktheatreroyal.co.uk