JOAN SUTHERLAND IN WHO'S AFRAID OF OPERA?: OFFENBACH'S "LA PERICHOLE" (TV)
Summary
One in this occasional series in which popular operas are presented in a condensed, simplified format. In this program, Joan Sutherland presents Jacques Offenbach's "La Perichole." Sutherland and the cast perform excerpts from the opera, and explain the storyline to three puppets who are "watching" the performance. The plot concerns a pair of inpoverished street singers, Perichole (Sutherland) and Piquillo (van der Stolk), who are in love with each other. The Viceroy (Egerton), charmed by Perichole, disguises himself and lures her into coming to live at his palace. Although she loves Piquillo, Perichole is tempted by the prospect of wealth, and agrees. The Viceroy sends his men to find a husband for Perichole, and they stumble upon Piquillo, about to hang himself in despair over losing Perichole. Piquillo is forced to marry Perichole, whose identity is disguised. When he discovers it is Perichole he has married, Piquillo attacks the Viceroy, and is thrown in prison. Perichole visits him in prison and professes her love. She tries to bribe the jailer to release him, but the jailer is actually the Viceroy in disguise. He chains them up, but they are set free by an old prisoner (Bromley). Upon their release, they convince the Viceroy to let them be together.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS WNET New York, NY
- DATE: February 18, 1973 8:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:28:54
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T89:0342
- GENRE: Music; Children's
- SUBJECT HEADING: Operas - Excerpts; Music - Analysis, appreciation; Puppets
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1972-1973
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Kroll Productions Inc. … Production Statement
- Nathan Kroll … Producer, Created/Developed by, Produced and devised by
- Piers Haggard … Director
- Claire Merrill … Writer, Screenplay by
- Jacques Offenbach … Composer
- Richard Bonynge … Conductor, Music (Misc. Credits), Music Director
- London Symphony Orchestra … Symphony Orchestra
- Douglas Gamley … Music (Misc. Credits), Special orchestrations by
- Larry Berthelson … Created/Developed by, Puppets created by, Performer, Puppeteer
- Danny Seagren … Performer, Puppeteer
- Rod Young … Performer, Puppeteer
- Joan Sutherland … Cast, Perichole, La
- Van der Stolk, Pieter … Cast, Piquillo
- Francis Egerton … Cast, Viceroy, The
- John Fryatt … Cast, Don Pedro and the Notary
- Gordon Wilcock … Cast, Panatellas
- Sydney Bromley … Cast, Old Prisoner, The
- Joe Mammen … Cast
- Monica Sinclair … Cast, Cousin, The
- Ailsa Gamley … Cast, Cousin, The