A new production by the Singers Company
BBC2 celebrates next week's centenary Of JACQUES OFFENBACH'S death with an inventive production of one of the composer's wittiest operas, La Perichole.
Set in 18th-century Peru under Spanish colonial rule, it tells the story, based on fact, of a street singer. La Perichole, who catches the eye of the Viceroy, much to the alarm of her boy-friend,
Piquillo. PETER KNAPP 'S production is sung in English and begins in a Paris boulevard caf6 where Offenbach is supervising his small but energetic company of singers in a dress rehearsal.
The cast includes with ANN MACKAY , SUSAN MOORE
JENNIFER HESLOP , RICHARD SUART HUGH HEATHERINGTON
ADAM SARGENT as cousins, courtiers, Peruvians and Spaniards, and TOM LAWLOR as the Old Prisoner
Music arranged and conducted by JOHN OWEN EDWARDS
Choreography by SALLY GILPIN
Recorded in Chichester Festival Theatre Lighting TOMMY THOMAS SoundVIC GODRICH
Executive producer HERBERT CHAPPELL Producer PETER BUTLER