Classical Sullivan, Arthur (Seymour) up to 10 GBP : Read reviews and compare prices at Ciao.co.uk

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A paradox, a paradox, that most ingenious paradox Advantages: Piratical humour, songs, dance; A great operetta, good to see it re-released Disadvantages: None “Pirates of Penzance” features many of the familiar characteristics of Gilbertian plot twists. Age and time are hopelessly entangled. Logic is upended and sat rudely upon its end. Everyone loves everybody else in an unrequited fashion that is properly requited(!) at the end – and nobody gets seriously hurt. By the time this operetta opened in London in 1880, Gilbert and Sullivan were taking the world by storm and were reaching the pinnacle of their ... ...of the English comic opera and had made that medium firmly their own. This, the second of the ‘Big Five’, remains after over 120 years one of the most commonly played and is the vehicle for some of England’s finest and most stirring tunes. As well as the opera house, these themes have been heard to issue from the bandstand, the music hall, the military band and the brass band. THE PLOT The opera opens on a beach in Cornwall. Frederic has just reached ... Newfloridian 02.04.2003 · Read full review Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sullivan: (The) Pirates of Penzance; Trial by Jury.	Originality Lyrics Quality and consistency... Value for Money
Patience is certainly a virtue Advantages: Complete operetta (musically) with great artists Disadvantages: none These Naxos re-issues are great and so reasonably priced for anyone who might be wanting to try out some Gilbert and Sullivan before plumping for the complete Decca set recorded during the 50s and 60s. This recording has Martyn Green, Leoard Osborne, Darrell Fancourt, the lovely Margaret Mitchell as Patience and Ella Halman in the contralto role. I am probably of an age that I can remember the end of this D'Oyly Carte era and the beginning of next ... nikwak 20.06.2008 · Read full review Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Sullivan: Patience	Originality Lyrics Quality and consistency... Value for Money
Love, the Housemaid, lights her kitchen fire Advantages: The pivotal opera in the G&S catalogue Disadvantages: Rather lightweight compared with what was to follow The names Gilbert and Sullivan evoke sentiments of a quintessentially Victorian England. Even if you do not know their work by name you will be familiar with the toe-tapping, whistle provoking musical entrances of the Lord High Executioner (“The Mikado”); the peers of the realm (“Iolanthe”) or the Tower Warders (“Yeomen of the Guard”). You will also know – although maybe not easily placed – such songs as “Take A Pair Of Sparkling Eyes” (“The Gondoliers”), ... ...Is Not A Happy One” (“Pirates Of Penzance”). The libretti and compositions have become woven into the fabric and historical memory of this country. Depending on your definitions there are fourteen titles in the catalogue (including the now lost “Thespis”). The most popular of the ‘big five’ – and those now most frequently performed – are “The Mikado”, “HMS Pinafore”, “The Gondoliers”, “Pirates of Penzance” and “Iolanthe” . “The Sorcerer” was the ... Newfloridian 26.03.2003 · Read full review Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Sullivan: (The) Sorcerer	Originality Lyrics Quality and consistency... Value for Money
Ruddigore at its best Advantages: atmospheric and nostalgic Disadvantages: none really This was one of the first G&S recordings I bought in vinyl and it is such a delight to have it re-released by the wonderful Naxos. The cast comes from what some consider to be one of the golden ages of the D'oyly Carte Opera Company, with artists such as Martyn Green, Leonard Osborne and Darryl Fancourt. There is something quite nostalgic about this recording and the first act finale sounds absolutely wonderful, if not crystal clear, as in the newer ... ...I would heartily recommend this CD to anyone who may be interested in G&S and maybe has never seen this operetta, as it was one of the lesser performed ones of the group. A bargain at the price and well done Naxos for re-issuing all these old D'oyly Carte recordings on CD. ... nikwak 20.06.2008 · Read full review Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Sullivan: Ruddigore	Originality Lyrics Quality and consistency... Value for Money
Sumptuous works by a little-known composer Advantages: Good recordings of unfamiliar, but rewarding works Disadvantages: None Karlowicz is a relatively unknown composer whose chief claim to fame was his untimely death in a skiing accident just before the First World War. He left a small collection of works, the later of which (figured in this disc) show a talent that was tragically snuffed out before he could achieve greatness. The Symphonic Poems featured here reveal a composer adept at interesting orchestral effects (try the sad theme at the start of the Lithuanian Rhapsody, ... ...writing for the lower-toned instruments of the orchestra. Karlowicz has clearly learnt a lot from Richard Strauss, whose shadow fell across much pre-1914 music, but it often lacks the extrovert quality of the Gernman composer's tone poems; as the inlay notes say, there is a 'brooding' quality to much of this music, particularly evident in the middle sections of these works. Another feature of Karlowicz's writing is his tendency to pick himself up ... chivhu 15.09.2009 · Read full review Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Karlowicz: Symphonic Poems Vol 1	Originality Lyrics Quality and consistency... Value for Money