The Pirates of Penzance

Track Listings
Disc: 1

1. Overture

2. Act I - Pour, O Pour The Pirate Sherry

3. Act I - When Frederic Was A Little Lad

4. Act I - Oh, Better Far To Live And Die

5. Act I - Oh, False One, You Have Deceived Me!

6. Act I - Climbing Over Rocky Mountain

7. Act I - Oh, Is There Not One Maiden Breast

8. Act I - Poor Wandering One!

9. Act I - How Beautifully Blue The Sky

10. Act I - Stay, We Must Not Lose Our Senses

See all 12 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2

1. Act II - Oh, Dry The Glistening Tear

2. Act II - When The Foeman Bares His Steel

3. Act II - Now For The Pirates Lair!

4. Act II - When You Had Left Our Pirate Fold

5. Act II - Away, Away! My Heart's On Fire

6. Act II - Stay, Frederic, Stay!

7. Act II - When A Felon's Not Engaged In His Employment

8. Act II - With Cat-Like Tread, Upon Our Prey We Steal

9. Act II - Sighing Softly To The River (Act II Finale)

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
A live recording of the 2001 50th Anniversary production of PIRATES OF PENZANCE is now available from the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston. This performance contains all the energy and excitement that can only be captured by a live, onstage recording. Complete dialogue make this CD a unique addition to any G&S library.

Conducted by Dr. Robert Linder and directed by D'Oyly Carte alum Alistair Donkin, this production stars Mr. Donkin as the Major-General and showcases many of your favorite Society performers as well as the outstanding Chorus.

The Pirates of Penzance, Music, Arthur Sullivan, Dr. Robert Linder, Gilbert, Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston, Shirld Milton, Kimberly Lane, Ralph L. Katz, Christy Larimer-Compson, Martin Lowen Poock, Joe Key, Laura Coker Llana, Caroline Midgette, Catherine Comeaux Alistair Donkin

Average customer rating:

Pirates of Penzance

Excellent Soundtrack

Outstanding Recording of an Outstanding Score

Delightful G & S

This is a great CD!!

The Pirates of Penzance

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Gilbert & Sullivan - The Pirates of Penzance / Kline, Ronstadt, Smith, Routledge, Delacorte Theater (Broadway Theatre Archive)

The Pirates Of Penzance Or The Slave Of Duty

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The Complete Annotated Gilbert & Sullivan

Pirates of Penzance in Full Score

ASIN: B000002GXE
Release Date: 1998-02-24

Tracks:

Pour, O Pour the Pirate Sherry
When Frederic Was A Little Lad
Oh, Better Far to Live And Die
Oh, False One, You Have Deceived Me!
Climbing Over Rocky Mountains
Stop, Ladies, Pray!
Oh, Is There Not One Maiden Breast
Poor Wandering One
What Ought We To Do?
How Beautifully Blue The Sky
Stay, We Must Not Lose Our Senses
Hold, Monsters!
I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General
Oh, Men Of Dark And Dismal Fate

Tracks:

Oh, Dry The Glistening Tear
Then Frederic
When The Foeman Bares His Steel
Now For The Pirates' Liar
When You Had Left Our Pirate Fold
My Eyes Are Fully Open
Away, Away! My Heart's On Fire
All Is Prepared
Stay, Frederic, Stay!
Sorry Her Lot
No, I Am Brave
When A Felon's Not Engaged In His Employment
A Rollicking Ban of Pirates We
With Cat-Like Tread, Upon Our Prey We Steal
Hush, Hush! Not A Word
Sighing Softly To The River
Finale

Amazon.com

Producer Joseph Papp's Broadway spin on Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance cannily employs pop firepower in its casting, adding an inviting Yankee accent to roles normally associated with (and sometimes embalmed in) plummy English locution. Erstwhile country-rocker Linda Ronstadt, who by this point had already proven she could tackle pre-rock pop standards, stretches successfully as its heroine. Rex Smith, then dismissed as a pop-rock heartthrob, proves he could be a "legitimate" musical leading man, a niche he's since inhabited comfortably. And Kevin Kline returns to his stage training as the hearty King of the Pirates. Onstage, Papp celebrated the slapstick possibilities of the deliberately silly plot, which weaves reliably tart observations about class consciousness and gender politics into a pirate band's invasion of a Cornish coastal town. A faithful big-screen adaptation added Angela Lansbury for marquee clout, but even without that grande dame of the Great White Way, this original stage cast is a corker, the music glorious and the performances spirited. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

Pirates of Penzance .......2007-06-27

Fantastic CDS based on the stageplay and video. I missed Angela Lansbury as Ruth but it is a fanatastic recording and interpretation of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta.

Excellent Soundtrack.......2007-03-08

You have to be a muscial fan to love this. This play is very fun and funny. This soundtrack has the songs from this wonderful play that you will want to hear over and over again.

Outstanding Recording of an Outstanding Score.......2006-11-07

The entire "Pirates" score plus much of the dialogue is found in this recording. The voices are extremely appropriate to each of the characters, and the comedy of the score is apparent. The energy is extremely high, which, in turn, excites the listener. I never tire of listening to it.

Delightful G & S.......2006-11-04

My favourite performance of this classic Gilbert & Sullivan Operetta. Kevin Kline, Linda Ronstat, and the whole cast are perfect.

This is a great CD!!.......2006-10-30

I love listening to these CD's. (There are 2 of them.) This recording of The Pirates of Penzance is great fun and quite entertaining. The lyrics are enclosed so I can check to see what is being sung if I'm not sure. The melodies are enchanting. The wonderful humor of Gilbert and Sullivan is intact. The silliness and musical talent remind me of the Marx Brothers, especially something like A Night at the Opera.

Linda Ronstadt is amazing! Kevin Kline can do anything! George Rose IS the modern Major General! And Rex Smith ("how rare his beauty") is perfect!

Gilbert & Sullivan: The Pirates of Penzance

Average customer rating:

Wonderful Production
Quality but Staid
Solid and Traditional
The Best of Many, Many Recordings

Gilbert & Sullivan: The Pirates of Penzance

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Gilbert & Sullivan: HMS Pinafore

ASIN: B00008LJEV
Release Date: 2003-05-13

Tracks:

Overture
Pour, Oh Pour The Pirate Sherry
When Fred'ric Was A Little Lad
Oh, Better To Live And Die
Oh, False One, You Have Deceived Me
Climbing Over Rocky Mountain
Stop! Ladies, Pray! A Man!
Oh, Is There Not One Maiden Breast
Oh, Sisters, Deaf To Pity's Name, For Shame!
Poor Wand'ring One!
What Ought We To Do, Gentle Sisters, Say?
How Beautifully Blue The Sky
Stay, We Must Not Lose Our Senses
Hold, Monsters!
I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General

Tracks:

Oh, Men Of Dark And Dismal Fate
Hail Poetry, Thou Heav'n Born Maid!
You May Go, For You're At Liberty
Pray Observe The Magnanimity
Oh, Dry The Glist'ning Tear
Then Frederic
When The Foeman Bares His Steel
Now For The Pirates Lair!
When You Had Left Our Pirate Fold
Away, Away, My Heart's On Fire
All Is Prepared
Stay, Fred'ric Stay!
Ah, Leave Me Not Pine Alone And Desolate
Oh, Here Is Love And Here Is Truth
No, I'll Be Brave
Sergeant Approach
When A Felon's Not Engaged In His Employment
A Rollicking Band Of Pirates We
With Cat-Like Tread
Hush! Hush! Not A Word
Sighing Softly To The River
Now What Is This, And What Is That
We Triumph Now
Away With Them, And Place Them At The Bar
Poor Wand'ring Ones, Though Ye Have Surely Strayed

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Production.......2006-02-27

It is almost imposible to find a flaw in this production. Valerie Masterson is wonderful as Mabel, John Reid is fantastic as the Very Model of a Modern Major General, Donald Adams makes a great pirate king & Owen Branigan's Police Sergeant is Superb.
Well worth buying but it is best if accompanied by the libretto so you can get the most of Gilbert's dialogue.

Quality but Staid.......2005-05-30

For newbies: *Pirates* is indeed one of the most pleasurable of the G&S shows. While not the most satirical, not the most ambitious, it is perhaps the most perfectly realized. Particular treat: wonderful music and lyrics for the chorus.

For newbies: the D-Carte Company produced the premieres of the G&S operettas with Gilbert and Sullivan. Until some point well into the 20th c (1980's?) the company performed and recorded the repertory. Thus, there is a rare historical cachet to anything D-Carte.

The Good on this recording: a sly, sonorous, and expressive Police Sgt; sensitive duet singing by Frederick and Mabel; anchoring tempi; a strong chorus.

The Bad on this recording: J. Reed as Major-General is really hard for me to listen to...his instrument is dreadful AND he manages to not be amusing. On the whole I think sounds as if the cast has been performing this show for decades. There is dignity here, but little light or life. I'm not looking for some tarted-up reimagining, but it all strikes me as stodgy.

Solid and Traditional.......2005-05-20

Despite its old production date, the music is loud and clear - no static, scratching, distortion, etc. that you can get some from old productions.

This production is a solid, regular performance. Excellent voices, English accents, original (as far as I know) dialogue, etc. No surprises at all.

I haven't heard the other versions that are available; but this one sets the standard.

The Best of Many, Many Recordings.......2004-03-11

The cast is first-rate. John Reed is in very good form. Owen Brannigan (replacing the usual George Cook) is for me the greatest Sergeant. Brannigan, also found on many of Benjamin Britten's opera recordings, has the bass voice the role requires (I do not feel it should be sung by baritones) and his dialogue remains the standard. I've always enjoyed Donald Adams and his Pirate is also the standard. Potter, Masterson and Palmer are very good.

The ensemble and orchestra conducted by Godfrey create a very exciting, sparkling performance. This is the recording I grew up with and no other has beaten it yet.

All dialogue is included. No updates or major cuts.

The Ultimate Gilbert & Sullivan Collection
Average customer rating:

Well worth the price

Not Exactly "The Ultimate" Collection...

Where's the chicks?!?!

Not quite the ultimate....

Great Music - Questionable Selection

The Ultimate Gilbert & Sullivan Collection
Arthur Sullivan , Isidore Godfrey , Royston Nash , New Symphony Orchestra of London , Royal Philharmonic Orchestra , Colin Wright , Donald Adams , George Cook , Gillian Knight , Jean Hindmarsh , Jeffrey Skitch , John Ayldon , John Reed , Joyce Wright , Kenneth Sandford , Lyndsie Holland , Owen Brannigan , Pauline Wales , Peggy Ann Jones , Thomas Round , Valerie Masterson , and D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Topsy-Turvy - The Music of Gilbert & Sullivan: From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Topsy-Turvy

The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan

ASIN: B000007OU0
Release Date: 1998-06-09

Tracks:

H.M.S. Pinafore: We Shall Sail The Ocean Blue
H.M.S. Pinafore: I'm Called Little Buttercup
H.M.S. Pinafore: My Galant Crew, Good Morning
H.M.S. Pinafore: I'm The Monarch Of The Sea
H.M.S. Pinafore: When I Was A Lad
H.M.S. Pinafore: Nevermind The Why And Wherefore
H.M.S. Pinafore: Kind Captain, I've Important Information
H.M.S. Pinafore: Carefully On Tip - Toe Stealing
H.M.S. Pinafore: For He Is An Englishman
The Pirates Of Penzance: I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major - General
The Pirates Of Penzance: When A Felon's Not Engaged In His Employment
The Pirates Of Penzance: With Cat Like Tread
The Sorcerer: My Name Is John Wellinton Wells
The Gondoliers: Take A Pair Of Sparkling Eyes
Patience: If You're Anxious To Shine
The Mikado: If You Want To Know Who We Are
The Mikado: A Wand'ring Minstrel I
The Mikado: Behold The Lord High Executioner
The Mikado: As Someday It May Happen
The Mikado: Three Little Maids From School Are We
The Mikado: The Sun Whose Rays Are All Ablaze
The Mikado: Here's A How - De - Do!
The Mikado: From Ev'ry Kind Of Man Obedience I Expect
The Mikado: A More Humane Mikado Never Did In Japan Exist
The Mikado: The Criminal Cried As He Dropp'd Him Down
The Mikado: The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring, Tra La
The Mikado: On A Tree By A River A Little Tom Tit
The Mikado: There Is Beauty In The Bellow Of The Blast
The Mikado: For He's Gone And Married Yum-Yum

Customer Reviews:

Well worth the price.......2006-04-13

I love this CD. No, despite its name it is not the "ultimate" collection, as scarcely could be expected from a single CD. It is heavy on Mikado, as others have stated. It leaves out things I would have included and includes things I would have left out. But the performances are wonderful, traditional and all you expect from G&S. Considering the low price, it is well worth including in your G&S collection ... as PART of your collection. After the disappointment of the godawful Opera World video series (Don't buy it!) this CD is a joy and a relief.

Not Exactly "The Ultimate" Collection..........2004-12-23

It seems that a collection of Gilbert & Sullivan music that has the name "The Ultimate Collection" in its title would boast a wide range of music, but I found the selection disappointing. Half of the tracks are songs from The Mikado, and the other half is divided between five... yes, FIVE other operettas. This means that the representation from each operetta is awfully scant. I would have liked to see less Mikado and more of everything else, and perhaps some highlights from the more obscure operettas (Princess Ida and The Sorcerer, namely).

In addition, while most of the music is very well performed, some of the vocalists either go a bit overboard or, at the very opposite end, seem to lack expression. For example, this Nanki-Poo (in The Mikado) seems to be overly occupied with vibrato. Katisha's voice is annoying, and The Mikado's low voice often seems to lack feeling and humor. The other idiosyncracies, like the very frightening evil laughing during "A More Humane Mikado" and hissing during "Three Little Maids" really bug me.

Then again, I'm new to Gilbert and Sullivan, and was introduced to the music through the Topsy Turvy soundtrack, which has a noticeably less operatic style, and hardly includes "stage noise"... so perhaps all this is the norm. Do listen to the tracks for yourself, though, before you purchase the CD. Personally, I find that the Topsy Turvy soundtrack, while considerably less ecompassing, is much lighthearted and easier listening.

Where's the chicks?!?!.......2003-05-15

It wouldn't be G&S if not for the ladies - so where are they? How could they leave out Mabel's aria - or Josephine's!? The only female aria included on this disc comes from Mikado, which is the least exciting (if G&S could be un-exciting) of the three! Everything else on the recording is great, but I am still quite disappointed.

Not quite the ultimate...........2002-03-25

This is a great collection, but unfortunately it doesn't have songs from all the works of G&S. Most notably, there is nothing from the "Yeoman of the Guard". I still reccommed it however as John Reed is wonderful!!

Great Music - Questionable Selection.......2002-02-05

It's an ongoing challenge to find a recording of Gilbert and Sullivan that combines premium musicality and great theatrical performance. This recording is a true gem on both fronts. My only complaint is that for a "Best of" collection, this compilation is Mikado-heavy and scarcely touches on highlights from other masterpieces, particularly The Pirates of Penzance. This would be my favorite G&S CD of all time, of only it included tracks like "When the Foeman Bares his Steel," "Poor Wand'ring One," and "Dry the Glist'ning Tear," but then again, I guess there's no real consensus as to which are Gilbert and Sullivan's best works, and there are too many to fit on one CD.

Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites

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Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites

Manufacturer: Castle Pulse
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Favourite Welsh Choirs
Land of Song Welsh Choral Classics
Welsh Choirs: Wonderful Welsh Choirs
Bryn Terfel - We'll Keep a Welcome
Traditional Songs of Wales

ASIN: B0009SOFXG
Release Date: 2005-08-01

Tracks:

Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer (CWM Rhondda) - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
Land of My Fathers - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
Dies Irae
Men of Harlech
You'll Never Walk Alone
Cadwyn O Emyn Donau Cymreig: Joanna (Trad./Elfion Wyn)/Crugybar (Trad.
Old Folks at Home
Il Liza Jane
Faust/Soldier's Chorus - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
Vergine Degli Angeli
Ballard of Rourke's Drift - Cwt-Y-Collen Choir
My Hero
God Bless the Prince of Wales - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
German Mass/Gloria
German Mass/Sanctus
Misbles/Master of the House/On My Own/Drink with Me/Empty Chairs at
All Through the Night - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
Arwelfa
Invictus
Softly as I Leave You

Tracks:

Diolch l'R L
Hine E Hine (Maori Lullaby)
Pererin Wyf (Amazing Grace)
Tribute to the USA: America the Beautiful (Ward/Bates)/God Bless ...
Memories of Martha
I Lombardi/The Crusaders' Chorus - Treorchy Male Choir
Myfanwy - Treorchy Male Choir
Tales of Hoffman/Barcarolle
Creation's Hymn
In the Spirit!
Shall We Gather at the River
Nos a Bore
Very Best Time of Year
Soon Ah Will Be Done
Thanks Be to God
Flower That Shattered the Stone
Rhys - Treorchy Male Choir
Where Shall I Be?
Bywyd y Bugail
Lord's Prayer

Tracks:

Ave Maria
Pearl Fishers/Divine Brahma
She Was Beautiful (Cavatina) - Treorchy Male Choir
Cymru Fach
Nidaros
Jacob's Ladder - Treorchy Male Choir
Watching the Wheat
Pan Ddaw y Saint (When the Saints Go Marching In)
Misbles/Stars
Rachie
Pirates of Penzance/With Cat-Like Tread - Treorchy Male Choir
There Is a Balm in Gilead
Rise Up Shepherd and Foller
My Lord, What a Mornin'
Bryn Myrddin
Jesus Christ Superstar/Medley: Jesus Christ Superstar/Hosanna/The Last
Finnish Forest (Suomen Salossa)
Nabucco/The Glory of Israel
Ride the Chariot
Tydi a Roddaist - Treorchy Male Choir

Tracks:

Y Nefoedd
Phantom of the Opera/Think of Me
Morte Christe (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross)
By Babylon's Wave
I'm Gonna Sing
Where Could I Go But to the Lord?
Holy City - Treorchy Male Choir
Mefistofele: Ave Signor, Degli Angeli
Senzenina (Zulu Chant)
That's All I Want from You
Deep Harmony - Treorchy Male Choir
Give Me Jesus
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
My Wish for You
Jeptha/Waft Her Angels
Mose in Egitto/Prayer
Be Still My Soul (Finlandia Hymn)
God's Choir in the Sky
Floral Dance - Treorchy Male Choir
Smilin' Through

Tracks:

Calon Lan
True Love
Mor Fawr Wyt Ti (How Great Thou Art)
Aberystwyth
Comrades in Arms
Cats/Memory
They Led My Lord Away
State Fair/It's a Grand Night for Singing
When I Fall in Love
Let's Face the Music and Dance
Windmills of Your Mind
How Soon
Non Nobis Domine
Rhythm of Life
Kalinka
Sound an Alarm
Neapolitan Trilogy: It's Now or Never (Di Capua/Schroeder/Gold)/Mo ...
Turandot/Nessun Dorma
Christus Redemptor
Ann Evening's Pastorale

Album Details

Choirs Include the Morriston Orpheus Choir, the Pontadrddulais Male Voice Choir, the Caerphilly Male Voice Choir, the Cwrt-y-gollen Choir, the Treorchy Male Choir and the Lucknow Male Voice Choir.

Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury

Average customer rating:

The Best Of Gilbert And Sullivan
Pure delight
Delicious G&S samplings abound here.
Fine Intro to G&S

Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury
Nicholas Folwell , Arthur Sullivan , Marie McLaughlin , Rebecca Evans , Anthony Rolfe Johnson , John Mark Ainsley , Alwyn Mellor , Anne Howells , Barry Banks , Eric Garrett , Felicity Palmer , Gareth Rhys Davies , Janice Watson , Julie Gossage , Neill Archer , Pamela Helen Stephen , Peter Savidge , Richard Stuart , Richard Suart , Richard Van Allan , Sir Thomas Allen [baritone] , Sir Charles Mackerras , and Welsh National Opera
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000003D1Y
Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

A Wandering Minstrel I
Behold The Lord High Executioner!
Three Little Maids From School Are We
Braid The Raven Hair
The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring
On A Tree By A River, A Little Tom-tit Sang, 'Willow, Tit-willow'
For He's Gone And Married Yum-Yum
We Sail The Ocean Blue
I'm Called Little Buttercup
My Gallant Crew
When I Was A Lad
Things Are Seldom What They Seem
Never Mind The Why And Wherefore
Climbing Over Rocky Mountain
Poor Wand'ring One
How Beautifully Blue The Sky
I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General
When The Foeman Bares His Steel
Ah, Leave Me Not To Pine
With Cat-Like Tread
Is Life A Boon?
I Have A Song To Sing, O!
Were I Thy Bride
Oh, A Private Buffoon Is A Light-Hearted Loon
When A Wooer Goes A-Wooing
When I, Good Friends, Was Called To The Bar
A Nice Dilemma We Have Here
Oh, Joy Unbounded

Customer Reviews:

The Best Of Gilbert And Sullivan.......2004-03-15

At the end of the 19th century (1870's, 80's and 90's) the compatible duo of librettist and composer Gilbert and Sullivan popularized the pre-Broadway entertainment of Savoy opera. These were light operas or operettas whose content was satire and comedy, full of bouncy melodies and beautiful singing, highly entertaining theatrical works staged at London's Savoy theatre. Gilbert and Sullivan did not always get along and in fact there was a time when they ended their professional relationship because personal conflicts surfaced. But they managed to create the world's most beloved light operas, over 40 of them. Their most famous are what I call the Big Three- The H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates Of Penzance and The Mikado. Other works include their first hit Trial By Jury, The Yeomen Of The Guard, Princess Ida, The Gondoliers, Patience and several others. A standard signature of Gilbert and Sullivan was in the colorful cast- a comic actor with a special kind of baritone voice, a canary-like and sweet-voiced coloratura or lyric diva, a mezzo soprano with strong chest register and a lyric tenor as the romantic hero. On this album, English conductor Sir Charles Mackerras, a popular figure in the classical music scene and opera, guides the Chorus and Orchestra Of the Welsh National Opera in generally well-delivered performances of excerpts from the operas The Mikado, The H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates Of Penzance, Yeomen Of The Guard and Trial By Jury. Although I feel that the recordings made by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, with Isodore Godfrey conducting and starring the best cast of the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire- the singers of the 60's and 70's- tenor Phillip Potter, soprano Valerie Masterson, baritone John Reed, Donald Adams and mezzo soprano Christine Palmer. Their version of the Pirates Of Penzance and the Mikado far outshine the Welsh National Opera in technical mastery and vibrant tone color.

But these are fine excerpts. Especially appealing is the famous and cheerful "Three Little Maids From School Are We", a trio that imitates Japanese style melody. Most of the Mikado does this, for it was inspired by Japanisme or the new fashion in Victorian England- everything Japanese, from prints to paintings to poetry. Gilbert and Sullivan simply "Japanized" their English operettas. The Finale "For He's Gone To Marry Yum Yum" is an ebullient and pleasant finale. Not featured here is the domineering and powerful Katisha, a figure who stands out in the Mikado.

The H.M.S. Pinafore is Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular work. The sea chanty "We Sail The Ocean Blue" opens the opera with appropriate atmosphere and it seems to fit perfectly with the other scene in which the Captain greets his crew and they sing his praises "My Gallant Crew..I am the Captain Of The Pinafore". A beautiful melody that seems to come out of a romantic Offenbach tune is "I"m Called Little Buttercup". The finale, not featured here, is also very engaging "For He Is An Englishman" which can almost resemble a British national anthem. The Yeomen Of The Guard was Gilbert and Sullivan's "serious opera" eventhough it remains very Savoyard. The plot deals with Tudor England and takes place at the London Tower. "I have a song to sing" makes use of what can be taken for an English ballad of the Renaissance. Trial By Jury, about the eccentric and hilarious activity of a court trial, has a sextet that although different in composition, has the sextet "Che Mi Frena" from Donizetti's Lucia Di Lammermoor in mind. All in all, an excellent recording sure to delight young and old.

Pure delight.......2003-08-02

--Gilbert & Sullivan--
William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan were a match made in heaven, yet on earth their pairing seems even with hindsight a most unlikely coupling. Both were destined for other things, Gilbert in fact for decidedly non-musical careers. Introduced by a mutual friend, Fred Clay, the fledgling lyricist Gilbert met the military-band-leader's son Sullivan and together continued to conspire to inspire the delights of audiences from high Victorian times down to the present, as their work in musical theatre comedy continues to provide merriment throughout the English-speaking world and beyond.

--The Music--
This collection includes highlights from five of the most popular Gilbert & Sullivan operettas: The Mikado, HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, The Yeoman of the Guard, and Trial by Jury. The arrangements and orchestrations are delightfully energetic and clear; the characterisation and vocal qualities of the leads are perfect for their roles. The haughty if misplaced Lord of the Admiralty has the perfect combination of insecurity and pompous officiousness. The Plaintiff and the Defendant in the Trial are perfectly cast. This is a collection of highlights - at least three but no more than seven songs each, but this gives a good flavour of the music. The recordings on this collection come from complete performances by Mackerras and the WNO.

--Sir Charles Mackerras--
Mackerras is one of the geniuses of the twentieth century musical scene. Having a conducting career that includes the Hamburg Opera, the English National Opera (formerly Sadlers Wells Opera), and the Welsh National Opera (the performers for this piece), he has also conducted major orchestras on the continent of Europe and in the United States. The holder of many major awards and honourary doctorates, he has devoted much time and energy to the preservation and performance of eighteenth and nineteenth century music, as well the restoration of historical musical venues, such as the Estates Theatre in Prague, scene of the original production of Don Giovanni (Mackerras conducted the opera there to commemorate the bicentenary of the death of Mozart).

--Welsh National Opera Orchestra and Chorus--
The seeds of the WNO were planted in Cardiff during World War II by music lovers; the first performances occurred a year after the war's end, with Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci on the bill, with Faust the next night. Popular appeal was so great that the WNO was established, later adding choruses in both Cardiff and Swansea. The professional chorus was established in 1973, with a strength that matches the orchestra. They continue an ambitious performance schedule for recording and live events; Mackerras remains the Conductor Emeritus, as the WNO continues under the direction of Carlo Rizzi. The list of awards the WNO has won over the years is staggering - they are a world class institution by any measure.

--Other performers--
Notable singers such as Richard Stuart, Rebecca Evans, Felicity Palmer, John Mark Ainsley and Anne Howells lead the chorus with stunning vocals and clever characterisations of the parts they play. Many (such as Stuart and Evans) play the leading roles across several of the pieces of the disc.

--Liner Notes--
The liner notes give a good introduction and biographical information about Gilbert and Sullivan, as well as synopses of the five pieces presented here. It does not, unfortunately, include any information about Mackerras, the WNO Orchestra and Chorus, or the other special performers. It also does not include the lyrics to the songs. Were the quality of the CD not so great, this might cost it a star in rating.

--Overall Impressions--
I play this CD in my car, in my home and in my office frequently. It is a great sing-along work and a great comedic relief from the stresses of the day. The music is bubbly and clear; the recording quality is excellent and crisp. I recommend this to any Gilbert & Sullivan lover, any fan of musical comedy, opera and operettas, and anyone who delights in good music.

Delicious G&S samplings abound here........2003-05-06

The first thing I should be saying is "What an infectuous G&S CD." Indeed this is, with this fine sampling of the peppy and bright Mackerras series. I know I have praised its "Mercedes-Benz quality" elsewhere on these pages, but that doesn't stop me from saying that everyone is in fine voice. This generously filled CD may only focus on five operas, but at least you can savour a reasonable choice sampling of delights from each one. Of particular interest is Richard Suart's patter-baritone parts and the soaring lyric soprano of Rebecca Evans. The selection on this disc is filled with a mixture of familiar favourites and lesser-known gems such as the female choruses in Mikado and Pirates. Mackerras is a true G&S conductor, but one who always springs rhythms crisply, and adopts peppy tempo for the fast bits. The one drawback is that this selection is far too infectuous that you'll want to shell out money to buy the full 5-CD Mackerras cycle - an incredible bargain with most of the operas fitted onto one disc each. But still, this is at least a decent G&S sampling for beginners, capped with Steven Ledbetter's copious liner notes. It will leave you wanting to say "dammit I'm going to play it again."

Fine Intro to G&S.......2000-12-30

This is the perfect CD for those who may not be familiar with G&S, or for the initiated who want a smattering but don't have the mother of all CD changers. The difficulty with any G&S Greatest Hits CD is determining which pieces to leave off; while one could easily point to any number equally good bits, it would be difficult to argue about the quality of the choices included. The only problem, such as it is, is that after listening to it I am usually induced to go back and listen to the whole opera anyway. The Mackerras recordings are uniformly excellent. I have read elsewhere the criticism that they are too 'operatic' for light opera. If by this it is meant that the singers are too good, then I leave it to the discretion of the listener when the singing becomes too good to be enjoyable.

Phase 4 Stereo: Gilbert & Sullivan: HMS Pinafore / D'Oyly Carte Opera Company

Average customer rating:

Great CD's
A much maligned joy!
A Pinafore performance that deserves more acceptance
A good Pinafore, bird, boards and brine included
A fun, lighthearted, well-done musical comedy.

Phase 4 Stereo: Gilbert & Sullivan: HMS Pinafore / D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
Arthur Sullivan , Arthur Jackson , Thomas Lawlor , Ralph Mason , Valerie Masterson , Donald Adams , John Reed , Christene Palmer , John Ayldon , Pauline Walkes , James Walker , and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Gilbert & Sullivan: The Pirates of Penzance
Gilbert & Sullivan; The Mikado
Gilbert & Sullivan: Iolanthe
Gilbert & Sullivan: The Mikado
HMS Pinafore: or The Lass That Loved a Sailor Vocal Score

ASIN: B0000042GK
Release Date: 1997-11-11

Tracks:

HMS Pinafore: Overture
HMS Pinafore - Act I: We Sail The Ocean Blue
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Hail, Men-O'-Wars' Men
HMS Pinafore - Act I: I'm Called Little Buttercup
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Aye, Little Buttercup - And Well Called
HMS Pinafore - Act I: But, Tell Me - Who's The Youth?
HMS Pinafore - Act I: The Nightingale Sighed
HMS Pinafore - Act I: A Maiden Fair To See
Ah, My Poor Lad, You've Climbed Too High
My Gallant Crew, Good Morning
HMS Pinafore: I Am The Captain Of The Pinafore
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Sir, You Are Sad!
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Sorry Her Lot Who Loves Too Well
HMS Pinafore - Act I: My Child, I Grieve To See
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Over The Bright Blue Sea
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Now Give Three Cheers...I Am The Monarch Of The Sea
HMS Pinafore - Act I: When I Was A Lad I Served A Term
HMS Pinafore - Act I: You've A Remarkably Fine Crew
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Ah! Sir Joseph's ATrue Gentleman
HMS Pinafore - Act I: A British Tar Is A Soaring Soul
HMS Pinafore - Act I: It Is Useless - Sir Joseph's Attentions Nauseate Me
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Refrain, Audacious Tar
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Can I Survive this Overbearing?
HMS Pinafore - Act I: O Joy, O Rapture Unforeseen
HMS Pinafore - Act I: This Very Night
HMS Pinafore - Act I: Let's Give Three Cheers For The Sailor's Bride

Tracks:

HMS Pinafore - Act II: Entracte
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Fair Moon, To Thee I Sing
HMS Pinafore - Act II: How Sweetly He Carols Forth
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Things Are Seldom What They Seem
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Incomprehensible As Her Utterances Are
HMS Pinafore - Act II: The Hours Creep On Apace
HMS Pinafore - Act II: A Simple Sailor, Lowly Born
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Madam, It Has Been Misrepresented To Me
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Never Mind The Why And Wherefore
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Sir Joseph, I Cannot Express To You My Delight
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Kind Captain, I've Important Information
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Dick Deadeye - I ank Yoiu For Your Warning...Carefully On Tiptoe Stealing
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Hold! Pretty Daughter Of Mine
HMS Pinafore - Act II: In Uttering A Reprobation
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Now Tell Me, My Fine Fellow
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Farewell, My Own
HMS Pinafore - Act II: A Many Years Ago
HMS Pinafore - Act II: Then I Am To Understand
HMS Pinafore - Act II: O Joy, O Rapture Unforeseen
The Pirates Of Penzance: Hold, Monsters
The Pirates Of Penzance: I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General
The Pirates Of Penzance: With Cat-Like Tread
The Pirates Of Penzance: When the Foeman Bares His Steel
Ruddigore: Ruddigore - There Grew a Little Flower (Dame Hannah) (Sir Roderic Murgatroyd)
The Mikado: A Wand'ring Minstrel I
The Mikado: A More Humane Mikado
The Mikado: Three Little Maids From School Are We
The Mikado: On A Tree By A Willow, 'Tit Willow'
The Mikado: The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring

Customer Reviews:

Great CD's.......2005-09-20

I love the versions of "I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General" and "When I Was A Lad". The lyrics were fairly easy to understand and the vocals were fun and spunky, just as Gilbert & Sullivan should be:). I have no complaints (even the price was right); all in all two great CDs.

A much maligned joy!.......2001-01-20

This recording dating from 1971 is now realised on CD with superb sound quality. The cast was probably the last great line up of the late years of the former D'Oyly Carte Company.

John Reed does appear tired and stale, this is due to the closeness of the recording making for a 'radio broadcast' effect. Thomas Lawler as Capt Corcoran (at the time husband of Pauline Wales, Cousin Hebe) is excellent. I remember seeing this cast in performance, minus Valerie Masterson, who was brought in as guest artiste for the recording. They were superb then, with particular mention of the brilliant Christene Palmer (a fantastic Katisha in The Mikado), Arthur Jackson who had a great presence on stage and was a superb Pooh-Bah, his round tones suit admirably the role of Carpenters-Mate.

Ralph Mason, as Ralph Rackstraw (pronounced as Rafe, a Victorian English idiosyncracy) made a superb attempt at all the parts he played in repertory, of particular note being Earl Tolloller in Iolanthe.

This recording is worth the purchase to recall or find for the first time the last glimpses of this much lamented troupe. Except for the weak John Ayldon, Dick Deadeye, who does not have the satanic glitter of the late Donald Adams or Darrell Fancourt, the rest are superb. A pity the newer, yet fresher company does not have the subtlety of tradition or performance quality. Ah well, lack-a-day! we can't have everything...Can we?

A Pinafore performance that deserves more acceptance.......2000-11-25

Ever since D'Oyly Carte made this wonderful recording of Pinafore in 1971, it has been given somewhat unfair critiques, including one that called it "infamous." That criticism came about because of the distorted sound on the original LP issue, but things seem to have improved with this CD reissue, allowing the performance to be heard more clearly. Nevertheless, the artistic distinction of the performance still manages to shine through brightly, and this alone can contribute to the winning appeal of its admirers.

Even despite the fact that John Reed gives a memorable performance of the Ruler of the Queen's Navee, his portrayal seems to have deteriorated a little bit. This is due to the obvious staleness of his voice (well, it was a feature of all the D'Oyly Carte recordings that were made from the 1968 Pirates onwards, so you mustn't blame him!) and his deteriorating diction. Some of the words were not pronounced clearly, as in his character's famous comical autobiographical song, and there is evidence of sloppiness of hte notes in places. The other major drawback is John Ayldon's Deadeye. Like all D'Oyly Carte recordings to which he contributed, this one was ruined by the unpleasant gruffness of his voice. His portrayal seems not to match Donald Adams on every level. However, for the rest of the cast, there is much to please the ear. Thomas Lawlor makes as first-class a Captain as Jeffrey Stitch, Gordon Sandison or Thomas Allen, but even though he has a slightly heavy and dark-timbred voice, he nevertheless manages to remove it from this recording. He is certainly better suited to this role than to Deadeye, the role he played on the New Sadler's Wells recording. Ralph Mason makes a heady-toned Rackstraw, and he certainly is a joy to hear on record, determined to win the hand of Josephine, who is memorably characterised by the best G&S prima donna, Valerie Masterson. She sings with a full-blooded mature soprano voice with which she gives a melancholy air to her opening ballad and blood to her grand operatic scene. She is certainly better than Jean Hindmarsh, if only by a small margin, even though the twitter in the latter's voice does not hurt at all. And lastly, I would like to highlight the underrated Christene Palmer's fruity portrayal of Little Buttercup, which is on par with Gillian Knight and Felicity Palmer. The rest of the cast is splendid, the choral singing as well-disciplined as the orchestra, and James Walker paces the tempi nicely, with some small quibbles that don't matter a lot. The recording has transferred well to CD, and the sound effects kept to a minimum, to help give a sense of atmosphere. The dry recording is also characteristic of all D'Oyly Carte recordings made from their 1968 Pirates onwards. The major complaint is the Spectacular fill-ups which don't seem to fit in with Pinafore, as they are too improperly chosen and the tempi too slow. If the CD ends with The flowers that bloom in the spring, it does not give a definite sense of an ending.

Overall, I would safely say that while this is not necessarily a first-choice, its artistic merits shine through compellingly to make it be one. Let me advise you to ignore the Spectacular items by programming them out. Anyone who wants a standard D'Oyly Carte performance will be well pleased with this.

A good Pinafore, bird, boards and brine included.......1998-09-30

This CD release of an early 70s recording has been given something of a reprieve from the original branding of it as "the most infamous Pinafore". The added sound effects of seagull, creaking timbers and the sea sloshing against the ship's sides seems mostly to have been forgiven. These aural props are only present between songs and when present provide a pleasant theatrical quality to the recording. D'Oyly Carte is in good form here and the close microphone Phase 4 recording makes audibility excellent - something Gilbert would have appreciated if the Savoy had offered anything as good.

A fun, lighthearted, well-done musical comedy........1998-09-24

This recording of Pinafore is well done. The listener can really get a sense of the enjoyment the singers experience in this show. It brought back pleasant memories of my own cast experience.

Average customer rating:

Not the best sung but among the best in characterization

Operas of Gilbert and Sullivan

Manufacturer: Avid Records UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0001E5U8C
Release Date: 2004-04-20

Tracks:

HMS Pianfore: Overture
HMS Pinafore, Act One: We Sail the Ocean Blue
HMS Pinafore, Act One: Hail, Men O' War's Men
HMS Pinafore, Act One: I'm Called Little Buttercup
HMS Pinafore, Act One: But Tell Me, Who's the Youth
HMS Pinafore, Act One: The Nightingale Sighed for the Moon's ...
HMS Pinafore, Act One: A Maiden Fair to See
HMS Pinafore, Act One: My Gallant Crew, Good Morning
HMS Pinafore, Act One: I Am the Captain of the Pianfore
HMS Pinafore, Act One: Sir, You Are Sad
HMS Pinafore, Act One: Sorry Her Lot Who Loves Too Well
HMS Pinafore, Act One: Over the Bright Blue Sea
HMS Pinafore, Act One: I Am the Monarch of the Sea
HMS Pinafore, Act One: When I Was a Lad I Served a Term
HMS Pinafore, Act One: A British Tar Is a Soaring Soul
HMS Pinafore, Act One: Refrain, Audacious Tar
HMS Pinafore, Act One: Can I Survive This Overbearing?
HMS Pinafore, Act One: Oh Joy, Oh Rapture Unforeseen
HMS Pinafore, Act One: This Very Night
HMS Pinafore, Act One: Let's Give Three Cheers
HMS Pinafore, Act One: Entr'acte
HMS Pinafore, Act Two: Fair Moon to Thee I Sing
HMS Pinafore, Act Two: Things Are Seldom What They Seem
HMS Pinafore, Act Two: The Hours Creep on Apace
HMS Pinafore, Act Two: Never Mind the Why and Wherefore
HMS Pinafore, Act Two: Kind Captain, I've Important Information
HMS Pinafore, Act Two: Carefully on Tiptoe Stealing
HMS Pinafore, Act Two: Pretty Daughter of Mine
HMS Pinafore, Act Two: He Is an Englishman
HMS Pinafore, Act Two: In Uttering a Reprobation
HMS Pinafore, Act Two: Farewell My Own
HMS Pinafore, Act Two: A Many Years Ago
HMS Pinafore, Act Two: Oh Joy, Oh Rapture Unforeseen

Tracks:

Ruddigore: Overture
Ruddigore, Act One: Fair Is Rose as Bright May Day
Ruddigore, Act One: Sir Rupert Murgatroyd
Ruddigore, Act One: If Somebody There Chacned to Be
Ruddigore, Act One: I Know a Youth Who Loves a Little Maid
Ruddigore, Act One: From the Briny Sea
Ruddigore, Act One: I Shipp'd d'Ye See, In a Revenue Sloop
Ruddigore, Act One: My Boy, You May Take It from Me
Ruddigore, Act One: If Well His Suit Has Sped
Ruddigore, Act One: In Sailing O'er Life's Ocean Wide
Ruddigore, Act One: Cheerily Carols the Lark
Ruddigore, Act One: To a Garden Fulls of Posies
Ruddigore, Act One: Welcome Gentry for Your Entry
Ruddigore, Act One: Oh, Why Am I Moody and Sad?
Ruddigore, Act One: You Understand?
Ruddigore, Act One: Hail the Bride of Seventeen Summers
Ruddigore, Act One: When the Buds Are Blossoming
Ruddigore, Act One: Hold, Bride and Bridegroom
Ruddigore, Act One: Oh, Happy the Lily
Ruddigore, Act Two: I Once Was as Meek as a New-Born Lamb
Ruddigore, Act Two: Happily Coupled Are We
Ruddigore, Act Two: In Bygone Days I Hade Thy Love
Ruddigore, Act Two: Painted Emblems of a Race
Ruddigore, Act Two: When the Night Wind Howls
Ruddigore, Act Two: He Yields! He Yields!
Ruddigore, Act Two: I Once Was a Very Abandoned Person
Ruddigore, Act Two: My Eyes Are Fully Open
There Grew a Little Flower
Ruddigore, Act Two: Oh, Happy the Lily

Tracks:

Patience: Overture
Patience, Act One: Twenty Lovesick Maidens We
Patience, Act One: Still Brooding on Their Mad Infatuation
Patience, Act One: I Cannot Tell What This Love May Be
Patience, Act One: The Soldiers of Our Queen
Patience, Act One: In a Doleful Train...Twenty Lovesick Maidens We
Patience, Act One: When I First Put This Uniform On
Patience, Act One: Am I Alone and Unoberved?
Patience, Act One: Long Years Ago, Fourteen Maybe
Patience, Act One: Prithee Pretty Maiden
Patience, Act One: Let the Merry Cymbals Sound
Patience, Act One: Now Tell Us, We Pray You
Patience, Act One: Your Maiden Hearts
Patience, Act One: Come Walk Up and Purchase With Avidity
Patience, Act One: True Love Must Single-Hearted Be
Patience, Act One: I Hear the Soft Note...But Who Is This?
Patience, Act Two: Sad Is That Woman's Lot
Patience, Act Two: Turn, Oh Turn in This Direction
Patience, Act Two: A Magnet Hung in Hardware Shop
Patience, Act Two: Love Is a Plaintive Song
Patience, Act Two: So Go to Him and Say to Him
Patience, Act Two: It's Clear That Medieval Art Alone Retains Its Zest
Patience, Act Two: If Saphir I Choose to Marry
Patience, Act Two: When I Go Out of Door
Patience, Act Two: I'm a Waterloo House Young Man
Patience, Act Two: After Much Debate Internal
Mikado: Overture

Tracks:

Mikado, Act One: If You Want to Know Who We Are
Mikado, Act One: Gentlemen, I Pray You Tell Me
Mikado, Act One: A Wand'ring Minstrel, I
Mikado, Act One: Our Great Mikado, Virtuous Man
Mikado, Act One: Young Man, Despair
Mikado, Act One: And Have I Journey'd for a Month
Mikado, Act One: Behold the Lord High Executioner!
Mikado, Act One: As Some Day It May Happen
Mikado, Act One: Comes a Train of Little Ladies
Mikado, Act One: Three Little Maids from School
Mikado, Act One: So Please You, Sir, We Much Regret
Mikado, Act One: Were You Not Ko-Ko Plighted?
Mikado, Act One: I Am So Proud
Mikado, Act One: With Aspect Stern
Mikado, Act One: Your Revels Cease!
Mikado, Act One: The Hour of Gladness
Mikado, Act Two: Braid the Raven Hair
Mikado, Act Two: The Sun, Whose Rays Are All Ablaze
Mikado, Act Two: Brightly Dawns Our Wedding Day
Mikado, Act Two: Here's a How-De-Do!
Mikado, Act Two: Miya Sama, Miya Sama
Mikado, Act Two: A More Humane Mikado
Mikado, Act Two: The Criminal Cried
Mikado, Act Two: See How the Fates Their Gifts Allot
Mikado, Act Two: The Flowers That Bloom in the Spring
Mikado, Act Two: Alone, And Yet Alive!
Mikado, Act Two: Hearts Do Not Break
Mikado, Act Two: On a Tree by a River a Little Tom-Tit
Mikado, Act Two: There Is Beauty in the Bellow of the Blast
Mikado, Act Two: For He's Gone and Married Yum-Yum

Tracks:

Trial by Jury: Hark the Hour of Ten Is Sounding
Trial by Jury: Now, Jurymen, Hear My Advice
Trial by Jury: Is This the Court of the Exchequer?
Trial by Jury: When First My Old, Old Love I Knew
Trial by Jury: Silence in Court...All Hail, Great Judge
Trial by Jury: When I, Good Friends, Was Called to the Bar
Trial by Jury: Swear Thou the Jury
Trial by Jury: Where Is the Plaintiff?
Trial by Jury: Comes the Broken Flower
Trial by Jury: Oh, Never, Never, Never
Trial by Jury: May It Please You, M'Lud!
Trial by Jury: That She Is Reeling Is Plain to Me
Trial by Jury: Oh Gentlemen, Listen
Trial by Jury: That Seems a Reasonable Proposition
Trial by Jury: A Nice Dilemma We Have Here
Trial by Jury: I Love Him, I Love Hin
Trial by Jury: The Question, Gentlemen Is One of Liquor
Trial by Jury: Oh Joy Unbounded
Pirates of Penzance: Overture
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: Pour, Oh Pour the Pirate Sherry
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: When Frederic Was a Little Lad
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: Oh, Better Far to Live and Die (I Am ...)
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: Oh, False One, You Have Deceived Me!
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: What Shall I Do?...Climbing Over ...
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: Stop, Ladies, Pray!
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: Oh, Is There Not One Maiden Breast?
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: Oh, Sisters, Deaf to Pity's Name
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: Poor Wandering One
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: What Ought We to Do?
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: Stay, We Must Not Lose Our Senses
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: Here's a First-Rate Opportunity
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: Hold, Monsters!
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: I Am the Very Model of a Modern ...
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: Oh, Men of Dark and Dismal Fate
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: I'm Telling a Terrible Story
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: Oh, Master, Hear One Word
Pirates of Penzance, Act One: Pray Observe the Magnanimity

Tracks:

Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: Oh, Dry the Glistening Tear
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: Then, Frederic, Let Your Escort ...
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: When the Foeman Bares His Steel
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: Now for the Pirates' Lair!
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: Young Frederic!
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: When You Had Left Our Pirate Fold
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: Away, Away! My Heart's on Fire
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: All Is Prepared
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: Stay, Frederic, Stay!
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: Ah, Leave Me Not to Pine
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: In 1940 I of Age Shall Be
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: No, I'll Be Brave!
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: Though in Body and in Mind
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: When a Felon's Not Engaged in His ...
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: A Rollicking Band of Pirates We
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: With Cat-Like Tread
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: Hush, Hush! Not a Word
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: Sighing Softly to the River
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: And What Is This, And What Is That?
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: Frederic Here! Oh Joy!
Pirates of Penzance, Act Two: Poor Wandering Ones
Iolanthe: Overture
Iolanthe, Act One: Tripping Hither, Tripping Thither
Iolanthe, Act One: Iolanthe!
Iolanthe, Act One: Good Morrow, Good Mother
Iolanthe, Act One: Fare Thee Well, Attractive Stranger
Iolanthe, Act One: Good Morrow, Good Lover
Iolanthe, Act One: None Shall Part Us from Each Other
Iolanthe, Act One: Loudly Let the Trumpet Bray!
Iolanthe, Act One: The Law Is the True Embodiment
Iolanthe, Act One: My Well-Loved Lord and Guardian Dear
Iolanthe, Act One: Of All the Young Ladies I Know
Iolanthe, Act One: Nay, Tempt Me Not
Iolanthe, Act One: Spurn Not the Nobly Born
Iolanthe, Act One: My Lords, It May Not Be
Iolanthe, Act One: A Shepherd I
Iolanthe, Act One: When I Went to the Bar as a Very Young Man

Tracks:

Iolanthe, Act One: When Darkly Looms the Day
Iolanthe, Act One: Oh, Shameless One, Tremble!
Iolanthe, Act One: In Babyhood Upon Her Lap I Lay
Iolanthe, Act One: For Riches and Rank That You Befall
Iolanthe, Act One: To You I Give My Heart
Iolanthe, Act One: Tripping, Hither, Tripping Thither
Iolanthe, Act One: The Lady of My Love
Iolanthe, Act One: Go Away, Madam
Iolanthe, Act One: Oh, Chancellor Unwary
Iolanthe, Act One: Young Strephon Is the Kind of Lout (With ...)
Iolanthe, Act Two: When All Night Long a Chap Remains
Iolanthe, Act Two: Strephon's a Member of Parliament
Iolanthe, Act Two: When Britain Really Ruled the Waves
Iolanthe, Act Two: In Vain to Us You Plead
Iolanthe, Act Two: Oh, Foolish Fay
Iolanthe, Act Two: Though P'r'aps I May Incur Your Blame
Iolanthe, Act Two: Love, Unrequited, Robs Me of My Rest
Iolanthe, Act Two: When You're Lying Awake With a Dismal Headache
Iolanthe, Act Two: If You Go in, You're Sure to Win
Iolanthe, Act Two: If We're Weak Enough to Tarry
Iolanthe, Act Two: My, Lord, A Suppliant at Your Feet I Kneel
Iolanthe, Act Two: He Loves! If in the Bygone Years
Iolanthe, Act Two: It May Not Be
Iolanthe, Act Two: Soon as We May
Gondoliers: Overture
Gondoliers, Act One: List and Learn, Ye Dainty Roses
Gondoliers, Act One: Good Morrow, Pretty Maids
Gondoliers, Act One: For the Merriest Fellows Are We
Gondoliers, Act One: Buon'giorno, Signorine
Gondoliers, Act One: We're Called Gondolieri
Gondoliers, Act One: And Now to Choose Our Brides
Gondoliers, Act One: Thank You, Gallant Gondolieri

Tracks:

Gondoliers, Act One: From the Sunny Spanish Shore
Gondoliers, Act One: In Enterprise of Martial Kind (The Duke of ...)
Gondoliers, Act One: O Rapture When Alone Together
Gondoliers, Act One: There Was a Time
Gondoliers, Act One: I Stole the Prince
Gondoliers, Act One: But, Bless My Heart
Gondoliers, Act One: Try We Life-Long
Gondoliers, Act One: Bridegroom and Bride
Gondoliers, Act One: When a Merry Maiden Marries
Gondoliers, Act One: Kind Sirm You Cannot Have the Heart
Gondoliers, Act One: Do Not Give Way
Gondoliers, Act One: Then One of Us Will Be a Queen
Gondoliers, Act One: Replaying, We Sing
Gondoliers, Act One: For Everyone Who Feels Inclined
Gondoliers, Act One: Come, Let's Sway
Gondoliers, Act One: Then Away We Go to an Island Fair
Gondoliers, Act Two: Of Happiness the Very Pith
Gondoliers, Act Two: Rising Early in the Morning
Gondoliers, Act Two: Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes
Gondoliers, Act Two: Here We Are, At the Risk of Our Lives
Gondoliers, Act Two: Dance a Cachucha, Fandango, Bolero
Gondoliers, Act Two: There Lived a King
Gondoliers, Act Two: In a Contemplative Fashion
Gondoliers, Act Two: With Ducak Pomp and Ducal Pride
Gondoliers, Act Two: On the Day When I Was Wedded
Gondoliers, Act Two: To Help Unhapppy Commoners
Gondoliers, Act Two: Small Titles Abd Orders
Gondoliers, Act Two: I Am a Courtier Grave and Serious
Gondoliers, Act Two: Here Is a Case Unprecedented
Gondoliers, Act Two: Now Let the Loyal Lleges Gather Round
Gondoliers, Act Two: The Royal Prince

Tracks:

Yeomen of the Guard: Overture
Yeomen of the Guard, Act One: When Maiden Loves
Yeomen of the Guard, Act One: Tower Warders, Under Orders
Yeomen of the Guard, Act One: When Our Gallant Norman Foes
Yeomen of the Guard, Act One: Alas, I Waver to and Fro
Yeomen of the Guard, Act One: Is Life a Boon?
Yeomen of the Guard, Act One: Here's a Man of Jollity
Yeomen of the Guard, Act One: I Have a Song to Sing, O!
Yeomen of the Guard, Act One: How Say You, Maiden, Will You Wed?
Yeomen of the Guard, Act One: I've Jibe and Joke
Yeomen of the Guard, Act One: 'Tis Done! I Am a Bride!
Yeomen of the Guard, Act One: Were I Thy Bride
Yeomen of the Guard, Act One: Oh, Sergeant Meryll, Is It True?
Yeomen of the Guard, Act One: Forbear My Friends
Yeomen of the Guard, Act One: The Prisoner Comes to Meet His Doom
Yeomen of the Guard, Act Two: Night Has Spread Her Pall Once More
Yeomen of the Guard, Act Two: Oh! A Private Buffoon Is a Light-Hearted
Yeomen of the Guard, Act Two: Hereupon We're Both Agreed
Yeomen of the Guard, Act Two: Free from His Fetters Grim
Yeomen of the Guard, Act Two: Strange Adventure!
Yeomen of the Guard, Act Two: Hark! What Was That, Sir?
Yeomen of the Guard, Act Two: A Man Who Would Woo a Fair Maid
Yeomen of the Guard, Act Two: When a Wooer Goes A-Wooing

Tracks:

Yeomen of the Guard, Act Two: Comes the Pretty Young Bride
Yeomen of the Guard, Act Two: Hold, Pretty One!
Yeomen of the Guard, Act Two: All Thought of Leonard Meryll Set Aside
H.M.S. Pinafore
Yeomen of the Guard
Di Ballo: Overture - Birmingham Symphony Orchestra,
Pineapple Poll Ballet Suite, Scene One: Opening Dance
Pineapple Poll Ballet Suite, Scene One: Poll's Dance and Pas de Deux
Pineapple Poll Ballet Suite, Scene One: Belaye's Solo
Pineapple Poll Ballet Suite, Scene One: Pas de Trois
Pineapple Poll Ballet Suite, Scene One: Finale
Pineapple Poll Ballet Suite, Scene Two: Poll's Solo
Pineapple Poll Ballet Suite, Scene Two: Jasper's Solo
Pineapple Poll Ballet Suite, Scene Two: Belaye's Solo and Sailor's ...
Pineapple Poll Ballet Suite, Scene Two: Poll's Solo
Pineapple Poll Ballet Suite, Scene Two: Entry of Belaye With ...
Pineapple Poll Ballet Suite, Scene Two: Reconciliation
Pineapple Poll Ballet Suite, Scene Two: Grand Finale

Customer Reviews:

Not the best sung but among the best in characterization.......2005-07-09

Between 1949 and 1951, the D'Oyly Carte Company was very busy recording nine of the Gilbert & Sullivan works onto mono LPs for the Decca label (or the London, as it was known over here), with comic lead Martyn Green in all but "Trial By Jury." After he left the company, Green was supplanted by Peter Pratt, who recorded the comic lead roles in "The Sorcerer" and "Princess Ida." All of these have waited a long time to appear on CDs and several companies have taken advantage of the copyright lapse to issue them at very high prices and at least one at very budget ones.

But now I find that all of the 1949-1951 sets are available on the Avid Entertainment label as a boxed set of 10 discs (AMSC 780-789). To keep things compact, the Avid people unavoidably had to place on the same disc Act I of one opera after Act II of the one before. There is also orchestral bonus material towards the end including orchestral selections from "Pinafore" and "Yeomen of the Guard," Sullivan's salute to the dance "Overture Di Ballo," and the entire score of the G&S-based ballet "Pineapple Poll."

Green is good and even better are the bottomless basso of Richard Watson, the most famous Mikado of them all Darrell Fancourt, and the sympathetic contralto of Ella Halman. Only tenor Leonard Osborne does not come over very well on recordings, although he was very good on stage. No true "Savoyard" will want to be without this collection.

Those who are perfectly happy with less will want "Gilbert & Sullivan: Highlights and Overtures" (AMSC 800), a double-CD set in which there are 27 selections from the complete recordings and the 9 overtures, plus "Overture Di Ballo." A great starter kit to introduce newcomers to the magic of the G&S team.

Average customer rating:

A Great British collection
If you like Baroque music, buy it; it is excellent

Rule Britannia

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Rule Britannia and Other Music from Last Night of the Proms
Royal Salute
Music from the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Marches-1/British
Regimental Marches of British Army, Vol. 1

ASIN: B00004W3JI
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

The Island Princess: Tpt Aire/Sym Of Flatt Trumpits
'Mr. Handel's Water Piece': Ste in D: I. Ov
'Mr. Handel's Water Piece': Ste in D: II. Gigue (Allegro)
'Mr. Handel's Water Piece': Ste in D: III. Aire (Menuetto)
'Mr. Handel's Water Piece': Ste in D: IV. March I (Bouree) - March II
The Choice Of Hercules: I. Ov (Largo-Allegro)
The Choice Of Hercules: II. March
Europe Revells In Ye Peace: Sym
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): I. Prld: The Duke Of Gloster's March; Minuet & Sybelle...
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): II. Ser & Ecossaise
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): III. Bourre & Hornpipe
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): IV. Gigue
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): V. Rondeau: The Prince Of Denmark's March (Tpt Voluntary)
The Fairy Queen: Sym To Act IV: I. Intro - Canzona
The Fairy Queen: Sym To Act IV: II. Adagio
The Fairy Queen: Sym To Act IV: III. Battle (Allegro) - Pastoral - Battle
The Indian Queen: Tpt Ov To Act II
Son in E, Op.3 No.5: I. Allegro
Son in E, Op.3 No.5: II. Largo
Son in E, Op.3 No.5: III. Giga: Allegro
Atalanta: Ov: I. Adagio - Allegro
Atalanta: Ov: II. Andante
The Judgment Of Paris: Recitative: Awake, Awake, Thy Spirits Raise; Aire: Hark, Hark, The Glorius...
Birthday Song For Queen Mary: Come Ye Sons Of Art (Ov & Chor): I. Sym (Largo - Allegro)
Birthday Song For Queen Mary: Come Ye Sons Of Art (Ov & Chor): II. Adagio
Birthday Song For Queen Mary: Come Ye Sons Of Art (Ov & Chor): III. Ritornello - Chor
Funeral Music For Queen Mary: I. March
Funeral Music For Queen Mary: II. Canzona
Funeral Music For Queen Mary: III. March (Reprise)
Alfred: 'Rule Britannia'

Tracks:

Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.1 in D, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.2 in a, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.3 in c, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.4 in G, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.5 in C, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
The Pirates Of Penzance: Ov - SCO/Alexander Faris
HMS Pinafore - Ov - SCO/Alexander Faris
Ste: The Planets, Op.32: Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity - Philharmonia Orch/William Boughton
Te Deum - Christ Church Cathedral Chor, Oxford/Stephen Darlington
Vars On An Original Theme, Enigma, Op.36: IX. Nimrod - English SO/William Boughton
The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune - Christ Church Cathedral Chor, Oxford/Stephen Darlington

Customer Reviews:

A Great British collection.......2005-10-05

This CD features several particular composers who have written pieces of music that are quintessentially British: Jeremiah Clarke, George Frideric Handel, John Stanley, John Eccles, Henry Purcell, William Corbett, Edward Elgar, Arthur Sullivan, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gustav Holst and Thomas Arne. The pieces here are triumphant, celebrating that particular period of Empire when the British ruled vastly such that the sun never set upon it - one of the key elements of such triumphant music-making, particularly for the time, was the use of brass and trumpet. Some of the later composers included here draw on inspirations from these earlier times.

One of the featured performers on this collection is John Wallace, who was principal trumpet of the Philharmonia Orchestra since the 1970s; he founded the brass ensemble, the Wallace Collection, ten years later in 1986. In 2002, he became principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland, and the Wallace Collection gave their last performance shortly thereafter. However, the Wallace Collection lives on in performances on CD such as this one, performed with William Boughton and the English String Orchestra. Other tracks are performed by Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Alexander Faris and the English String Orchestra conducted by Stephen Darlington.

Pieces here are very familiar to anyone with an interested in British national composition -- pieces such as the Water Music by Handel are very famous, as are Holst's 'Planets' and Sullivan's (of Gilbert & Sullivan) 'Pinafore'; other pieces, such as Clarke's 'Trumpet Voluntary', are similarly famous even if their composers did not achieve the 'brand recognition' that Handel did. All of the composers here came from the period spanning the late 1600s to the late 1700s, when music was as often written for music halls and public performances as it was for royal events and commissions.

The performances here are uniformly upbeat and well played, with little by way of blemish save the occasional drop and surge in levels (as often becomes the case when recording music with sharp brass elements).

One can envision theatres full of people waving Union Jacks while this plays, and many of the pieces have a quality about them that speaks directly to the time and place of Britain.

If you like Baroque music, buy it; it is excellent.......2005-06-29

If you like Baroque music, buy this 2 CD's BOX SET; it is excellent. Clarke, Handel, Purcell, Corbet and so on are very well played. The orchestration is very good, the quality of recording is excellent. Remember that Baroque music uses mainly a single trumpet, few other brass instruments, some woodwinds and very few drums. It is very easy, elegant and pleasant to listen. When I got married in 2003, I have chosen only Baroque music for the ceremony and the banquet because Baroque music is so lovely, so delicate and so sweet. Even if you have never heard or you think that you have never heard Baroque music, buy this CD; I tell you, you will not regret your choice because it is really an excellent CD. You have my words.

Average customer rating:

The best? I think not.
can't understand the words

The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Ultimate Gilbert & Sullivan Collection
Gilbert & Sullivan - Highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Trial of Jury
The Gilbert and Sullivan Overtures
The Complete Annotated Gilbert & Sullivan
Topsy-Turvy - The Music of Gilbert & Sullivan: From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

ASIN: B00004W5AD
Release Date: 2000-08-08

Tracks:

H.M.S. Pinafore: Ov - Orch Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr/John Owen Edwards
H.M.S. Pinafore: We Sail The Ocean Blue - Tom McVay/Gordon Sandison/Yvonne Barclay
H.M.S. Pinafore: Never Mind The Why And Wherefore - Tom McVay/Gordon Sandison/Yvonne Barclay
The Yeomen Of The Guard: When Maiden Loves She Sits And Sighs - Janine Roebuck
The Yeomen Of The Guard: Here's A Man Of Jollity - Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
Iolanthe: Tripping Hither, Tripping Thither - Yvonne Patrick/Madeliene Mitchell/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
Iolanthe: The Law Is The True Embodiment - Richard Suart/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
Iolanthe: When I Went To The Bar - Richard Suart
Iolanthe: Strephon's A Member Of Parliament! - Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
Iolanthe: When Britain Really Rul'd The Waves - Lawrence Richard/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
Iolanthe: Finale Act Two: Soon As We May - Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
The Pirates Of Penzance: Ov - Orch Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr/John Pryce-Jones
The Pirates Of Penzance: Poor Wand'ring One - Marilyn Hill Smith/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
The Pirates Of Penzance: I Am The Very Model - Eric Robertson/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
The Pirates Of Penzance: When The Foeman Bares His Steel - Simon Masterton Smith/Marilyn Hill Smith/Patricia Cameron/Eric Robertson/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte...
The Pirates Of Penzance: With Cat-Like Tread - Gareth Jones/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
The Mikado: If You Want To Know Who We Are - Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
The Mikado: The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring - Bonaventura Bottone/Eric Roberts/Deborah Rees/Thora Ker/Malcom Rivers
The Mikado: On A Tree By A River - Eric Roberts
Patience: The Soldiers Of Our Queen - Donald Maxwell/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
Patience: If You Want A Receipt For That Popular Mystery - Donald Maxwell/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
Patience: Am I Alone And Unobserved - Simon Butteriss
Patience: If You're Anxious For To Shine - Simon Butteriss
The Gondoliers: We're Called Gondolieri - David Fieldsend/Alan Oke
The Gondoliers: From The Sunny Spanish Shore - Richard Suart/Jill Pert/Elizabeth Woollett/Philip Casey
The Gondoliers: For Ev'ry One Who Feels Inclined - David Fieldsend/Alan Oke/Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr
The Gondoliers: Take A Pair Of Sparkling Eyes - David Fieldsend
The Gondoliers: Dance A Cachucha - Chor Of The D'Oyly Carte Opr

Customer Reviews:

The best? I think not........2004-01-11

This disc includes some songs that, while I like them, are not what people might consider the "best" of G&S. Of course, anything by G&S is good, it's still not the "best of the best."

There has got to be something that better represents the G&S canon.

can't understand the words.......2004-01-08

Don't know about those other reviewers, but I just can't make out very much of the lyrics. Maybe those folk have better CD players or better hearing, but it's pretty much a blur to me. I strongly recommend "The Ultimate Gilbert and Sullivan" instead.

The Complete Gilbert & Sullivan (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

Don't underestimate those "unknown" Operettas!!
A few details
Wonderful set, if a little inconsistent at times.

The Complete Gilbert & Sullivan (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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The Complete Annotated Gilbert & Sullivan
Gilbert & Sullivan - H.M.S. Pinafore / Trial By Jury - David Hobson, Anthony Warlow, Colette Mann, Tiffany Speight, John Bolton Wood, Richard Alexander, Opera Australia, State Theatre, The Arts Centre Melbourne
Gilbert & Sullivan - Operettas / Pro Arte Orchestra · Sir Malcolm Sargent
Operas of Gilbert and Sullivan
Gilbert & Sullivan - Master Collection (Opera World)

ASIN: B00008LJEO
Release Date: 2003-05-13

Customer Reviews:

Don't underestimate those "unknown" Operettas!!.......2005-07-07

This is, as far as I know - the only way of buying the "official" recordings of "The Grand Duke" and "Utopia" - which seem to be otherwise out of print!! Several of the others are not that easy to get either.

In any case - most people getting this set will already have the Mikado, and very probably Pirates and Pinafore for that matter, so you're really getting it for the others.

So just for the record - someone has to say this!

The Mikado is (of course) a wonderful piece, but it enjoys its long running status as the most successful of all the G&S operettas very largely for "extra-musical" reasons. It is visually so wonderful, with all those great authentic costumes, and the whole idea of satirising English institutions by pretending they are Japanese is of course brilliantly funny.

Again, Pirates and Pinafore enjoy a lot of their acclaim simply because we have heard them so often. And at least part of the initial success of these (admittedly very funny and entertaining) pieces was the vogue for "nautical drama" on the popular Victorian stage.

Iolanthe, Ruddigore, and Yoemen are all MUCH stronger musically than any of what another reviewer here keeps calling the "trilogy". Patience, Princess Ida, and the Gondoliers all excel either "nautical" operetta, at least musically, although not, perhaps, the Mikado. And I have had a lot of fun listening to my recording of the Sorcerer - although I think most at least of the other G&S operettas are even more interesting.

As for "Trial by Jury" it is really another thing altogether - but in its kind the most perfect thing either Gilbert or Sullivan had anything to do with!

This leaves Utopia and the Grand Duke.

Both of these were produced after the long running friendship between G&S had soured, and they have been sadly neglected ever since. Utopia is none the less both musically beautiful and very funny, and well worth taking an effort to come to grips with. The main point of the satire (which many commentators and reviewers seem to miss) is the way that the English language and British (especially English) institutions were being adopted, often rather uncritically, by countries around the world (most, but not all, of them members of the British Empire, of course). India is perhaps the country Gilbert had most in mind, but you could set it in any of a dozen other countries. The residual problems this has left in the post-colonial world ensure that this work is still far from dated. In some ways this operetta is about globalisation! What could possibly be LESS dated than that!

The Grand Duke, on the other hand, is a bit of an odd man out - I suppose you still have to say it is the weakest of all the G&S efforts. It's the ONLY one that didn't score a very respectable run on its first outing. Surprisingly, however, if an attempt is made to duplicate the musical and (especially) dialogue cuts that G&S would have done themselves if they had not by this time been at each other's throats all the time, a very entertaining piece can be made of it. I was very agreeably surprised by the Ohio Light Opera recording, which does just that - and I am coming round to the idea that the only thing really wrong with the Duke is that it is too long.

ANYWAY:

For all people (especially callow youth) who remain convinced that G&S only wrote three operettas worth listening to - all I can say is, buy this set, and give the lesser known ones a chance. Make sure you have a libretto in your hands as you listen, of course. It may even just need a single hearing in some cases, but otherwise, be patient. In the meantime, you really cannot have any conception of what you are missing.

A few details.......2004-03-28

This 24-CD album consists of 12 plastic cases, each with a thin booklet giving background and plot summaries for the works on its 2 enclosed CD's. Most of the album consists of 15 operettas, 2 of which (Cox and Box, The Zoo) have texts not by Gilbert and 7 of which (

1. Overture
2. Act I - Pour, O Pour The Pirate Sherry
3. Act I - When Frederic Was A Little Lad
4. Act I - Oh, Better Far To Live And Die
5. Act I - Oh, False One, You Have Deceived Me!
6. Act I - Climbing Over Rocky Mountain
7. Act I - Oh, Is There Not One Maiden Breast
8. Act I - Poor Wandering One!
9. Act I - How Beautifully Blue The Sky
10. Act I - Stay, We Must Not Lose Our Senses

1. Act II - Oh, Dry The Glistening Tear
2. Act II - When The Foeman Bares His Steel
3. Act II - Now For The Pirates Lair!
4. Act II - When You Had Left Our Pirate Fold
5. Act II - Away, Away! My Heart's On Fire
6. Act II - Stay, Frederic, Stay!
7. Act II - When A Felon's Not Engaged In His Employment
8. Act II - With Cat-Like Tread, Upon Our Prey We Steal
9. Act II - Sighing Softly To The River (Act II Finale)