Stage Director - Alistair Donkin
Alistair Donkin’s first appearance with the Society was the summer of 1982. He’s been back with us every summer since, adding directorial duties since our 1985 Iolanthe. It is difficult to imagine our Society without the infusion of knowledge, skill and talent Alistair shares with us every summer. Alistair was fortunate to be able to leave his career as a solicitor in England to pursue a professional career in theatre with the original D’Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1979. Whilst with that Company he played as both chorister and principal in all the operas in the D’Oyly Carte repertoire. That dual capacity gave him a unique insight into the Savoy Operas and has enabled him to create and pursue a career directing and performing those operas in a way in which he hopes W. S. Gilbert would approve - overtly traditional but with modern allusions to allow them to reach a 21st Century audience. Many of his productions have received national and international accolades. His first foray into directing non-G & S was with the UK Northern Amateur Premiere of La Cage aux Folles, but the list now includes The Sound of Music, The Merry Widow, Die Fledermaus, Oklahoma!, The King and I , Brigadoon and Camelot to name but a few. Having been spoilt by Gilbert’s dialogue, Alistair particularly enjoys directing other shows with a good “book” such as My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof and Oliver.
Music Director - Viswa Subbaraman
Internationally acclaimed American conductor, Viswa Subbaraman, most recently led a production of the critically acclaimed, ground-breaking opera We Shall Not Be Moved, at the Dutch National Opera in March of 2018 after having premiered the work with Opera Philadelphia in the Fall of 2017.
Raised in West Texas, he studied at Duke University where he earned degrees in both music and biology. After completing a master’s degree from Texas Tech University, he was awarded a Fulbright Grant to study conducting with John Nelson in Paris where he also worked as the Visiting Assistant Conductor of the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris. Shortly thereafter, Subbaraman was offered a post by Kurt Masur with the Orchestre National de France.
During his tenure as Artistic and Music Director at the Skylight Music Theatre in Milwaukee, he expanded the company’s repertoire and placed it at the forefront of the industry in producing contemporary opera and reimaging traditional works. His most recent production was Thomas Ades’ Powder Her Face, directed by Robin Guarino, which was declared “a triumph for Skylight’s artistic leader” (urbanmilwaukee.com) and he was praised for his “sublime control of this music, and the singers” (broadwayworld.com). Other highlights include Beethoven’s Fidelio, set in a Bollywood production, which he conducted and stage directed; the world premiere of Somtow Sucharitkul’s Snow Dragon which traveled to Bangkok, Thailand; Philip Glass’ Hydrogen Jukebox; and acclaimed mountings of Puccini’s iconic Tosca and Rossini’s La Cenerentola, modified for Skylight’s unique, 200-seat Baroque theater.
Chorus Master - Joseph Rawley
Bass-baritone Joseph Rawley enjoys an active performing career, including opera performances, recitals, and choral works. Some of the venues where Mr. Rawley has performed include Seattle Opera, Portland (OR) Opera, Opera Idaho, and Opera in the Heights here in the Houston area. He performs locally with various churches and other artistic outlets as a chorus member and soloist.
He is in his fourth year as the head choir director at Harby Junior High in Alvin, TX, where in under four years of teaching, he has grown the program from 80 students in four choir classes to over 250 students in nine choir classes. His choir recently achieved top honors ("sweepstakes") at the Region 17 UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest for the first time in a decade. He is delighted to make his debut with the Houston Gilbert and Sullivan Society this summer as the Society's Chorus Master, and on stage as the bass principal artist.
Mr. Rawley makes his home in Pearland, TX where he lives with his wife, pianist Dr. Sarah Spencer-Rawley, and their daughter Susannah. [photo credit: Shannon Langman]
