Savannah OPERA will present Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance” at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, August 17 at the Yamacraw Performing Arts Center at 649 W. Jones Street in Savannah. This is one of the highlights of the 12^thannual Savannah VOICE Festival, which this year takes place from August 8-18.

The Savannah OPERA production, conducted by Jorge Parodi and directed by Chad Sonka, brings The Pirate King, Mabel and swashbuckling Frederic to life in this Gilbert and Sullivan comic classic. The young Frederic celebrates the end of his apprenticeship with a band of pirates. He meets the daughters of the Major-General, including Mabel, and the two quickly fall in love.  Arguably the best-known composer/librettist duo in history, Gilbert and Sullivan worked together during the late 19th century to write fourteen beloved comic operettas.

This production is an exciting community collaboration between the Festival Artists, Milnes VOICE Studio Singers, and students from the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System.

“The mission of the Milnes VOICE Programs is to enhance and nurture the talent of young singers, and we are fulfilling that mission with this production. We are grateful for the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System for their continuous support throughout the years,” said Evelina Erickson, Executive Director of the Savannah VOICE Festival.

Tickets for The Pirates of Penzance start at $42 for standard seating and $65 for premium seating. For a full lineup of all Savannah VOICE Festival concerts, performances, master classes and other events, or to purchase tickets, please call 855-766-7372, email [email protected] or visit www.savannahvoicefestival.org.

Savannah VOICE Festival is a 501(c) 3 tax exempt nonprofit arts organization in the state of Georgia. The Festivalbrings classical vocal excellence to the Savannah area through a two-week celebration of concerts, events, and educational presentations during the month of August and throughout the year. Focusing on arts awareness and audience development in the performing arts, it offers music from opera, musical theatre, and popular song. The Savannah VOICE Festival is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly. GCA is a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Donations are tax-deductible.