S.D. Opera charts new course with 'Pirates of Penzance'
When "The Pirates of Penzance" made its world premiere in New York in 1879, the musicians in the orchestra pit threatened to strike because Arthur Sullivan's intricate score was far too "operatic" for their skill set. But that hasn't stopped a few local traditionalists from criticizing San Diego Opera for opening its 2017-2018 season this week with "Pirates," the company's first-ever Gilbert & Sullivan opera.