Phoenix, get ready for pirates with impeccable manners. Arizona Opera brings Gilbert and Sullivan’s beloved operetta The Pirates of Penzance to Symphony Hall on January 30 and 31, 2027, a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud adventure filled with romance, satire and irresistible wordplay.
The company has announced a lively principal cast led by baritone Craig Irvin as the Pirate King, joined by Véronique Filloux as Mabel and Brad Bickhardt as Frederic, with mezzo-soprano Jenni Bank as Ruth. The production is directed by Kyle Lang and conducted by Emily Senturia.
First performed in the 19th century, the operetta follows young Frederic, apprenticed to a band of tender-hearted pirates, whose leap-year birthday logic turns his duty into delightful chaos. Along the way audiences meet a parade of policemen, daughters and one very famous patter song: “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General,” still quoted and parodied everywhere.
Arizona Opera makes the outing welcoming for newcomers, too: a free pre-show talk begins one hour before each performance, and the Sunday, January 31 performance adds a post-show talkback with artists and members of the creative team.
Season and single tickets are now on sale through Arizona Opera. It is a joyful winter date for opera lovers — and a perfect first opera for everyone else.
Photo: Arizona Opera
