Interview: Chatting with The Pirates of Penzance's Major-General Robert Mellon
Gilbert and Sullivan's Beloved Operetta Opens Opera Theatre of St. Louis' 2026 Festival Season on May 23
When The Pirates of Penzance opens Opera Theater of St. Louis’ 51st season on May 23, Robert Mellon will step into the boots of Major-General Stanley. The comedic baritone role in the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta is best known for singing the rapid-fire song “I am the very model of a modern Major-General.”
“There is definitely a lot of pressure when singing that song. It’s a bit like singing the national anthem,” says Mellon. “It’s so well known, has a lot of text, and we will be performing it at a very quick pace.”
He says conductor Darryl Archibald and director Seán Curran have been collaborating with him to identify the tricky spots and keep refining them. “Darryl has been great helping me work through it, and Seán has been invaluable helping with the comedic timing.”
Mellon told Broadway World that he has been watching different interpretations of the character to better understand the Major-General’s timing, quirks, and personality. “I’ve talked with Seán about his vision of the character, taking his ideas, and combining them with my own instincts. It’s a layering process that will continue to evolve throughout the run,” he explained. “That’s what make performing so exciting.”
Since Robert “Bobby” Mellon moved to St. Louis in 2019 he has become a regular fixture on the stages of the three opera companies in St. Louis. Mellon has sung lead and featured roles in productions at Opera Theatre of St. Louis (OTSL), Union Avenue Opera, and Winter Opera.
Before moving to St. Louis, Mellon was a 2015 and 2016 Gerdine Young Artist and a 2017 Gaddes Festival Artist with OTSL. He said, “those years were really important for my development.”
It was while performing with OTSL in 2017 that he met his fiancée, Morgan Fisher. Mellon told Broadway World that he and Fisher decided it would not be financially sustainable to move her to New York, so he moved to St. Louis in 2019 to begin their life together.
“We own a house here now, and I really do feel like a St. Louisan,” says Mellon. Then he laughed and said, “but I still root for the NY Mets.”
His move was made easier because of the vibrant and thriving arts scene in St. Louis. Mellon gushed, “I’ve truly loved working with all three opera companies here in St. Louis.
He is a winner of the St. Louis Theater Circle Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera for his work in Falstaff at Union Avenue Opera. Mellon is grateful that Scott Schoonover gave him the opportunity to take on the leading roles in Verdi’s Falstaff and The Barber of Seville.
“Winter Opera’s Gina Galati has been incredibly supportive and has offered me a lot of concert opportunities plus the chance to sing the role of Leporello in Don Giovanni,” says Mellon. He calls Leporello one of his favorite roles. “I’ve always had a blast singing with Winter Opera!”
Mellon also sings the praises of OTSL’s Yvette Loynaz, Andrew Jorgensen, and all the others who have made OTSL feel like home. “I am just very lucky.” He continued, “St. Louis truly feels like my operatic home and I’m grateful to all the folks involved in making that possible.”
Over the past few years Mellon has performed character driven roles in La bohème, Galileo Galilei, Die Fledermaus, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at OTSL. Now, this season he’s taking on the role of the Major-General in The Pirates of Penzance. He says, “It means the world to me that Patricia Racette gave me this wonderful opportunity! I still can’t believe it!”
Mellon is still gracing opera stages all over North America. He recently made his Canadian debut with Manitoba Opera where he played Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro. “It’s one of my favorite roles and it was a great experience working with a wonderful team!”
Earlier in the year he sang the role of Major-General in Tulsa Opera’s production of The Pirates of Penzance, made his debut with Kentucky Opera in All is Calm, and starred at Billy Bigelow in the Will Rogers Foundation’s concert version of Carousel. “It’s been a busy but rewarding stretch.”
Mellon is excited about The Pirates of Penzance at OTSL. He is confident that this production is really going to be something special. “It will make a big impact on this festival season,” he says. “This is a really strong cast of phenomenal singing actors and Darryl Archibald will be conducting the world-class St. Louis Symphony Orchestra from the pit.”
The Pirates of Penzance will be performed seven times throughout the festival season. Performances are scheduled for May 23rd, 29th, and June 3rd, 6th, 14th, 18th, and 27th. (Note: the June 6th performance is a matinee.) Tickets can be purchased online at experienceopera.org.
Photo Courtsey of Opera Theatre of St. Louis
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