When Hannah Taylor of Leetsdale was 12, she did something that could be considered unusual for a girl her age--she downloaded opera music on her iPod.

Now a Sewickley Academy junior, Hannah not only still listens to opera music, but sings it as well. She soon will debut in her biggest role ever in Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta, "Patience," Pittsburgh Savoyard's fall production to open Friday at Catherine Thomas Theatre Benedictine Center.

Hannah will portray Patience, a young, naive and innocent milkmaid who is confused why those around her seem to be constantly upset by love, which she "cannot distinguish from insanity."

"The character is 18, a year older than myself, and she is going through the normal adolescent stages of trying to comprehend love, falling in and out of love and dealing with unrequited love.

"It's interesting to see the similarities that Patience is experiencing and what I have already been through and have yet to encounter in the topsy-turvy world that Gilbert and Sullivan had created over a century ago."

At first, it took a little patience for Hannah to understand "Patience."

"Obviously, there is the love triangle, which is easy enough to comprehend, but the operetta is also a running commentary on the aesthetic movement in England in the 1800s, and there were some references that didn't make sense to me," she said.

But, overall, Hannah said the operetta is charming and humorous, giving credit to Shane Valenzi, stage director and choreographer.

Valenzi, of Sewickley, said the plot is complicated, but "in general, it's about the ridiculousness of celebrity and fads, as well as the hypocrisy of unselfish love."

Hannah loves singing the duet, "Pretty Prithee Maiden," with Corey Wingard of Dormont, who plays Grosvesnor, one of the poets who is vying for Patience's love.

Studying both Italian and German at Sewickley Academy, Hannah has often sung in both languages, but "Patience" is sung and acted in English and more like a Broadway musical.

Hannah began her music education when she was 4 with violin lessons at The Center for Young Musicians. When she was 13, she began voice lessons and viola lessons and became principal violist with the Pittsburgh Youth Pops Orchestra.

Acting in school plays and musicals and the summer Performing Arts Camp in Sewickley, Hannah also placed as a national semifinalist in the Classical Singer high school competition in Chicago.

She recently was awarded First Chair in the Soprano 1 section of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 1, Western Pennsylvania counties, Honors Choir and has started her second year with the Pittsburgh Opera's High School Apprenticeship program.

Hannah said she would like to attend a music conservatory after high school to major in vocal performance.

She was first introduced to the repertoire of Gilbert and Sullivan when she was in the Choral Studies and Operetta program at Interlochen Arts Camp.

Her interest in opera evolved from her listening to and learning to play classical music on her violin and hearing a different instrument, the human voice, perform some arias.

But it was her mother, Susan Turner, who introduced Hannah to opera at an early age.

"I had always loved classical music and listened to it when driving her in the car," she said.

Because of Hannah's interest, Turner and Hannah's father, Craig Taylor, became season subscribers to the Pittsburgh Opera.

"We are very proud of Hannah and supportive of all that she takes on. She is very passionate and dedicated about her singing," Turner said.

Hannah said she was honored to be chosen to play the lead.

"It was a sign to me that I was mature enough to handle a main role, and I am excited about that," she said.

"Hannah's done one Savoyards show before, but this is her first leading role and a well-deserved one," Valenzi said.

"She's so awesome. I would work with her a million times over again."

The show will be held at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m Sundays, tomorrow through Nov. 1 at The Catherine Thomas Theatre Benedictine Center, 4530 Perrysville Ave., Ross Township.

For ticket information, go to www.pittsburghsavoyards.org; call 412-734-8476 or e-mail information@pittsburghsavoyards.org.

From the director's chair

It's almost as if Shane Valenzi was destined to carry on the work of Gilbert and Sullivan.

As the son of former Broadway actor and local director, Lou Valenzi of Sewickley, Shane has been around the theater practically from birth. His love for Gilbert and Sullivan shows came at an early age as he watched his father work on eight different productions of "Pirates of Penzance."

Now Shane is directing his first show for Pittsburgh Savoyards, which exclusively produces Gilbert and Sullivan shows. With "Patience" or "Bunthorne's Bride," to open tomorrow night at Catherine Thomas Theatre Benedictine Center, Shane said he has found his niche.

"I think I'm in the right place. It's a good recipe for success," he said.

The 2005 Quaker Valley High School graduate, who sung and acted in four musicals there, said he realized how much he wanted to direct at University of Pennsylvania, where he received a bachelor's degree in theater arts. He eventually fell into directing almost full time, winning a directing award from American College Theater Festival in Pittsburgh. Shane's goal is to own his own theater company. For now, he's enjoying working with the actors and actresses in "Patience." From Sewickley are Hannah Taylor, who plays Patience, and ensemble members, Dr. Gregory Patrick, pulmonologist at Sewickley Valley Hospital; Sam Brown, Sewickley Academy Class of 2005; Antonio Juliano, Sewickley Academy student; and Jane Volk and Mike and Jess Cerchiaro, members of the choir at St. James. He also works with Guy Russo, Savoyards musical director and conductor, and Sewickley Academy music director.

Hannah Taylor has the high praise for her director.

"Shane's take on everything about the show only improves upon that which Gilbert and Sullivan wrote and composed," she said.