Sepia Saturday - Let the Merry Cymbals Sound

Sepia Saturday give bloggers an opportunity to share their family history through photographs





When  I saw this week's prompt,  it reminded me of only one photograph in my collection.  Here I am in the opening chorus of Gilbert & Sullivan's "Patience" which is a skit on Oscar Wilde and the aesthetic  movement. I am one of the  "20 lovesick maidens we" - second standing figure  on the right, plucking my cardboard lyre.

 A chorus from the Act One finale perfectly echos the prompt picture as we came on stage singing

"Let the merry cymbals sound

Gaily pipe Pandean pleasure

With a Daphenphoric bound

Tread a gay but classic measure"

Our affections and affections change and by the end of the show we  have forsaken our medieval drapery  for brighter everyday garb  - mine  (third from the right) was rather a garish red stuart tartan dress with a bustle and lots of ruffles which I was told to take home and press - a pain to do.  

High School introduced me to Gilbert & Sullivan (also a favourite of my mother's)   and I was "hooked", singing in most of the operas over the years.  Today G & S has fallen out of favour with young ones, but it was such fun, happy to sing, even better to take part in a production  and I defy anyone not to feel uplifted afterwards. 

At University, I joined the  Savoy Opera Group and the annual G & S performances were the highlight of my year.  I loved taking part in them - the dressing up (the girls made their own costumes), the singing and some dancing, plus the camaraderie and friendships built up over intensive rehearsals.   We thought we were great!  

 

I remain a great Gilbert and Sullivan fan - 
but my stage performances have long since passed.

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of ladies dancing, cymbals clashing and white dresses flowing