By Olivia Robinson

Published June 12 2018

This weekend the spring concert for St. George’s Choir will feature choral music by classical composers Bach Haydn Mozart Mascagni Willan Douglas and Wagner but according to choir director Bill Gliddon it’s the highlights from Gilbert and Sullivan’s two-act satirical operetta The Mikado that is sure to dazzle concert-goers.

Gilbert and Sullivan operettas have been a staple in St. George’s Choir’s repertoire for years. In the past Gliddon said the group – now with 15 to 20 members – has collaborated with other ensembles to perform other Gilbert and Sullivan operettas such as The Pirates of Penzance and H.M.S Pinafore at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion.

When Gliddon was a high school teacher he recalled that Gilbert and Sullivan’s works were always crowd-pleasers.

“We sort of revisited that 50 years later and people still like it!” Gliddon said. “We thought we’d sing some highlights from [ The Mikado ] and I’d link the songs with a little narration to give the thread of the story.”

Gliddon hopes that people will come away from the performance feeling inspired and “revel in the beauty of the music.”

“ The Mikado is fun – pure fun. We just want people to enjoy themselves and see how much fun music can be.”

There are two performances this weekend: at 2 p.m. on June 16 and June 17 at St. George’s Anglican Church. The concerts are roughly an hour and a half long with no intermission. Tickets can be purchased at Master’s Book Store or at the door.