Ruddigore is my absolute favourite G&S opera, and it isn't performed as often as some of the other operas. And, an extra bonus for me, Chris came with me and experienced his first ever Gilbert and Sullivan performance! I think he enjoyed it, too!
Ruddigore is a wonderful opera. As with all of Gilbert's work, there is a healthy dose of satire. On this occasion, the satire is aimed at the Victorian melodrama, the Gothic and Sensation fiction, that were all so popular at the time the opera was written.
The opera is transported to the era of silent movies and The Guardian calls this "a masterstroke". The era is the perfect setting for moustachioed villains and plenty of cloak swishing! A silent movie plays during the overture to tell the opera’s ghostly back story, there are nods to horror films of the time, and Mad Margaret’s look resembles early cinema screen icon Theda Bara. To ground us further in the 1920s, the ghost of Sir Roderick wears full WW1 military uniform, hinting at his family’s involvement in the carnage. The gothic Ruddigore Castle in Act II is a spectacular sight.
Ruddigore is full of my favourite music and songs including the brilliant "When The Night Wind Howls" and the wonderfully funny patter song "It Really Doesn't Matter". Ruddigore always feels more like a full opera than a typical G&S light operetta. The music is simply gorgeous, and so varied.
Everytime I watch Ruddigore I'm amazed that its early performances weren't well accepted. Even the name Ruddigore had to be changed from the original Ruddygore, as Victorian audiences felt this was too bloody and gruesome.
A very enjoyable evening!