American bass-baritone Nathan Stark makes his Seattle Opera debut as the timid Sergeant of Police in THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE. When he enters, he and his fellows of the fearful force are trying to stiffen their spines by imitiating trumpets. Émeute is a French word meaning “riot.” The chorus and orchestra of Seattle Opera were conducted by David Charles Abell. Photo by Sunny Martini.

SERGEANT: When the foeman bares his steel…
POLICE: Tarantara! Tarantara!
SERGEANT: We uncomfortable feel,
And we find the wisest thing,
Is to slap our chests and sing.
For when threatened with émeutes,
And your heart is in your boots,
There is nothing brings it round 
Like the trumpet’s martial sound!

NATHAN STARK as the Sergeant

Founded in 1963, Seattle Opera is a leading American opera company. The company presents the classics of the European repertoire as well as new works of American opera. Frequent productions of Wagner's RING, beginning in 1975, established the company's worldwide reputation. Seattle Opera usually presents five opera productions each year.