Princess Ida/Patter Songs - D'Oyly Carte Opera Company/Mr. Nelson Eddy & Orchestra

Advantages: Not well known but is an important bridge in the historic cycle
Disadvantages: Not well known and quite dated

...-disc box set is part of the complete set of operas recorded by the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and released by DECCA. John Reed gives a creditable account of the grizzled King Gama – you can almost hear him leer in that ‘celebrated sneer’. The other soloists are in good voice and the orchestra is in its usual sparkling form. The second CD is completed with a performance of the Pineapple Poll ballet suite. This is a pot pourri of snatches of tunes taken from the operas and put together into a short (45 minute) dance story in three scenes. Mackerras notes that it was not unusual for Sullivan to recycle motifs himself. The whole work is a good ‘music quiz’ for Savoyards and the insert booklet identifies the individual sources for when you get stuck. PRINCESS IDA - Gilbert & Sullivan (1965) The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company The Royal... Read review

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

...of comic baritones going directly back to George Grossmith. His diction in even the fastest of the patter songs defied belief for its clarity. The other soloists are all highly competent in their roles. The orchestral sound is crisp, clear and bright. This recording is one of a series featuring all the popular operettas performed by the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company originally released by DECCA on the London label. This recording features the musical libretto but without the words. My CD copy comes from 1985 and is still in print. It is an Analogue to Digital Remaster. I can heartily recommend it. THE MIKADO - Gilbert & Sullivan (1973) The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: Conducted by Royston Nash. Soloists: John Reed (Ko-Ko); Colin Wright (Nanki-Poo) Kenneth Sandford (Pooh-Bah); Valerie Masterson (Yum... Read review

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

...of humour), nevertheless he does keep his trademarks largely under control and makes a fair stab at the patter songs. As is the case with all these presentations, each act is introduced by Douglas Fairbanks Junior. The DVD is completed with a short but quite interesting “Making Of” feature which includes a very relaxed interview with Frankie discussing his role. “HMS Pinafore” (2002) DVD ACORN Media AMP5319 G&S TRIVIA SPOT Sir Michael Bishop (Chairman of BMI airline) is an avid Savoyard and is chairman of the D’Oyly Carte Operas Company. This is the second in a series of reviews of the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan to coincide with the reissue of the definitive series of recordings by the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company. Details of other posted reviews can be found at: http://www.ciao.co.uk/EssaysReview5329441... Read review

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