Pacific Overtures [Remastered] - English National Opera

Advantages: Best of Borodin's compositions
Disadvantages: Extracts only

...’s talents. Containing extracts from his best known works, it is a kind of “greatest hits compilation”. Borodin composed only one opera, Prince Igor. Begun in 1869, Borodin spent almost eighteen years working on the music. The opera based on a Russian epic set in the 12th century, relates the tale of Prince Igor’s conflict with marauding Tartars and his capture by the Polovtsian leader Khan Konchak. The opening track of the CD is the overture, played by the London Symphony Orchestra ( 2 flutes, piccolo,), 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, triangle, tambourine, glockenspiel, harp and strings). Based on material from the opera, the overture summarizes the story in a musical précis. The orchestral overture begins slowly with melancholic strings and woodwind portraying... Read review

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Advantages: Rousing, jolly, bristling with life and humour
Disadvantages: None

...The operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan are much loved and treasured musical gems from a bygone era. They are as popular now as they ever were when written over a century ago - as can be seen by the clamour for tickets, the enthusiasm of audiences and the dedication of amateur societies in London, the provinces and around the world. “HMS Pinafore” can be described as the first written of the more popular five (along with “The Mikado”, “The Gondoliers”, “Pirates of Penzance” and “Iolanthe”). Themes from these operas still have the effect of getting toes tapping and promoting whistling whenever they are played. The name of D’Oyly Carte will be forever linked with Gilbert and Sullivan as will the Savoy Theatre in the Strand, London. We are fortunate that this National treasure is still available and that performances are still given within... Read review

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Advantages: The most popular, the most perfect, the most performed
Disadvantages: None

...a protest from the members of the cast and chorus. He was unable to stay in the theatre for the first night’s performance – trudging around the Thames Embankment – to return in time for the ovations at the final curtain. THE SONGS “The Mikado” leads off with a rousing overture that starts with oriental drum beats and proceeds to introduce the main musical themes. With one exception (“Miya Sama” – a Japanese Martial chorus) Sullivan avoided oriental influences in the music. It is riddled with songs and airs which are quintessentially English and that have become part of the musical heritage of the country. The opera is in two acts and is longer than some of its predecessors (about an hour and three quarters). Of particular note are (Official title first, popular song name in brackets): “A Wand’ring Minstrel; I!” – Nanki-Poo “Behold... Read review

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