Atlanta Opera's light-hearted performance Of 'Pirates of Penzance' opens this weekend

Pirates Of Penzance 1.19.21
"Pirates Of Penzance" at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre begins Jan. 22. (Photo by Rafterman)

If you think you don’t like opera, you probably haven’t yet been introduced to Gilbert and Sullivan, the celebrated dramatist duo whose hilarious satires of the British social class system have won over audiences for over a century. The last time the Atlanta Opera performed their “Pirates of Penzance,” all five shows sold out. A new production of the Gilbert and Sullivan hit will fill Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre once more, directed by Seán Curran. Curran joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes via Zoom, along with lead tenor Santiago Ballerini, who plays the role of Frederic, to talk about the fanciful music, dancing and comedy of this tried-and-true crowdpleaser.

Interview highlights:

The characteristic madcap, twisting plot style of Gilbert and Sullivan: