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Troupers Light Opera Performs Gilbert And Sullivan's 'Iolanthe' In Norwalk

ARMONK, N.Y. -- Armonk resident tenor John Maitilaine will be singing the role of the British Lord Tololler when Troupers Light Opera performs Gilbert and Sullivan’s "Iolanthe" April 11 and 18 in Norwalk. 

Miran Robarts of Mamaroneck sings the role of Phyllis with her lover Strephon (David Richy of Larchmont) in the Troupers Light Opera performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s "Iolanthe" on April 11th and 18th in the Norwalk Concert Hall.

Miran Robarts of Mamaroneck sings the role of Phyllis with her lover Strephon (David Richy of Larchmont) in the Troupers Light Opera performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s "Iolanthe" on April 11th and 18th in the Norwalk Concert Hall.

 Photo Credit: William M. Abbott Publicity Director, Troupers Light Opera
Linda Mekeel of Shrub Oak stars as the Fairy Queen and John Matilaine of Armonk as the Lord Tololler in the upcoming performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s "Iolanthe" on April 11 and 18 in the Norwalk Concert Hall.

Linda Mekeel of Shrub Oak stars as the Fairy Queen and John Matilaine of Armonk as the Lord Tololler in the upcoming performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s "Iolanthe" on April 11 and 18 in the Norwalk Concert Hall.

 Photo Credit: William M. Abbott Publicity Director, Troupers Light Opera
Cassandra Huerta

Well-known for his performances in grand opera, Matilaine will be making his 11th appearance with Troupers as a star of comic opera. The plot involves the usual star-crossed lovers, frustrated by a Lord Chancellor who, though initially the villain, eventually saves the day in a series of typically Gilbertian plot twists. Featuring some of Sullivan’s loveliest arias, as well as the spectacular march “Entrance of the Peers,” "Iolanthe" is a rare treat for music lovers. 

With Troupers Light Opera, Matilaine has played Sir Roderic in "Ruddigore," Poo Bah in "Mikado," Arac in "Princess Ida," Wilfred in "Yeomen of the Guard," Captain Corcoran in "Pinafore," Don Alhambra in "Gondoliers," Eisenstein in "Die Fledermaus," Pish Tush in "Mikado," the Burgomeister in "The Red Mill," and most recently, the sergeant of police in "The Pirates of Penzance." He also has appeared as the lieutenant in "Yeomen and the Duke in Patience." Matilaine also appears regularly with the Taconic Opera in Yorktown Heights, where he has been the bass soloist in several oratorios, the Gounod Requiem and Puccini Messa di Gloria. 

Joining Matilaine in Iolanthe are fellow Westchester residents Miran Robarts of Mamaroneck (Phyllis); David Richy of Larchmont (Strephon); Linda Mekeel of Shrub Oak (the Fairy Queen); and Maria Jacobi of Tarrytown (Leila). Starting out in 1946 as an informal group that put on Gilbert and Sullivan operas in private homes, Troupers Light Opera had, by 1950, become so popular that it recruited members of the Norwalk Symphony for the orchestra and began building sets for the performances. This year, Troupers is under the professional stage and musical direction of Dan Montez and Jun Nakabayashi, with full orchestra, period costumes and professional set design. 

"Iolanthe" will be performed 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. April 11 and 18 at the Norwalk Concert Hall, 125 East Ave., Norwalk. Tickets are available at www.TroupersLightOpera.org or by calling (800) 838-3006.

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