Under the artistic, music, and stage direction of Albert Bergeret, the company has presented over 2,600 performances throughout the United States, Canada and England. This summer will mark an unprecedented number of operas in one season for the company.

H.M.S. Pinafore, telling of a naval captain's daughter who is in engaged to the First Lord of the Admiralty but is in love with a common sailor, was Gilbert and Sullivan's first big hit. The Pirates of Penzance, famous for such songs as "Poor Wand'ring One" and "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General," spawned a successful 1981 Broadway production starring Kevin Kline and Linda Ronstadt. The Mikado, set in Japan but lampooning British politics, features the songs "A Wand'ring Minstrel I" and "Three Little Maids From School Are We." The Gondoliers, the lesser known work of the four and Gilbert and Sullivan's last great success, is a comedic story of secret identities and marriages set against the romantic backdrop of Venice.

Costumes will be designed by Gail J. Wofford, lighting by Sally Small, and sets by Albert Bergeret.

The company, which is subject to change, will include Stephen Quint, Richard Holmes, Colm Fitzmaurice, William Whitefield, David Wannen, Louis Dall'Ava, Laurelyn Watson Chase, Victoria Devany, Angela Smith, David Macaluso, Colm Fitzmaurice, David Auxier, Sarah Smith, Erika Person, Melissa Attebury, Edward Prostak, Lauren Wenegrat, and Michele McConnell.

The NYGASP will also offer a "Family Overture" — pre-show musical introduction and plot summary — for each show: June 7 at 12:45 PM for Pirates, June 8 at 1:45 PM for Pinafore, June 14 at 12:45 for Mikado, and June 15 at 1:45 PM for Gondoliers. Admission is free when attending the opera. Tickets range from $40-$96, with children 12 and under half-price with a paying adult. For tickets and performances dates, visit www.nycitycenter.org or phone (212) 581-1212. City Center is located at 130 W. 56th Street in Manhattan.