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 ... Read review
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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. ... more
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 recording, it does give off the atmosphere of the piece. 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.
Advantages: Another red blooded success from the operatic partnership. My own personal favourite. Disadvantages: None
with wicked nobleman, haunted castle and portraits that come to life.
Sir Arthur Sullivan, on the other hand, was extremely busy in his own right. He was commissioned to write an oratorio ?The Golden Legend? for the Leeds festival of 1886. This duly won him the accolade of ?Mozart of England?. He had an extensive round of social engagements (including entertaining Franz Liszt on a visit to London) and an elegant mistress.
Ruddigore opened on January 22nd 1887. It met with mixed critical acclaim. However it ran for 288 performances and Gilbert was to exclaim ?I could do with a few more such failures?.
THE BACKGROUND
Victorian theatre and pulp fiction was fascinated with ?blood-and-thunder? murder and horror stories. After all it spawned Arthur Conan Doyle and Bram Stoker amongst many others. Gilbert initially called the opera ...
Advantages: A glorious fun filled romp. Great sunny mediterranean tunes. Twisted plot that all comes right in the end 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. I was delighted to see a production of ?Ruddigore? by the local Gilbert and Sullivan Society in Tynemouth a couple of weeks ago.
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?. Themes from these operas still have the effect of getting toes tapping and promoting whistling whenever ...
Advantages: The final flourish from Britain's best loved Classical duo. Disadvantages: Patchy musically with some pleasant "highs"; rather weak and ponderous libretto.
Carlo and one by the Grand Duke) are no longer used.
Songs of particular note are:
"Won't It Be A Pretty Wedding" - The Full Chorus
"A Pattern To Professors Of Monarchical Autonomy" - Grand Duke Rudolph (A patter song)
"Oh, A Monarch Who Boasts Intellectual Graces" - Ludwig and Chorus
"For This Will Be A Jolly Court" - Ludwig and Chorus
"As Before You We Defile" - The Full Chorus
"Your Highness There's A Party At The Door" - Ludwig, the Baroness and Chorus
STAGE PERFORMANCE
I saw an amateur performance of "Ruddigore" by the Tynemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Society recently. The programme also listed their productions back to 1948. They have staged "The Grand Duke" once in that time (1970).
OTHER RESOURCES
This two-disc box CD set is part of the complete set of operas recorded by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company ...
Ann Drummond-Grant (Contralto (Female alto)); Darrell Fancourt (Bass); Deidree Thurlow (Mezzo soprano); Ella Halman (Mezzo soprano); Leonard Osborn (Tenor)
Orchestra / Ensemble(s)
D'Oyly Carte Opera Orchestra
Date of Release
01/11/2004
Label / Distributor
Naxos Historical / Select
Pieces in Set
1
Genre(s)
Stage works
Stereo
Stereo
EAN
636943129524
Catalogue Number
8
Work 1
Work Title
Ruddigore (or The Witch's Curse)
Excerpt(s)
1. Overture (Geoffrey Toye version: 1921) 2. ACT 1 - Fair is Rose 3. Sir Rupert Murgatroyd 4. If somebody there chanced to be 5. I know a youth 6. From the briny sea; I shipped, d'ye see 7. Hornpipe; My boy, you may take it from me 8. The battle's roar is over 9. If well his suit has sped 10. In sailing o'er life's ocean wide 11. Cheerily carols the lark; To a garden full of posies 12. Welcome gentry for your entry 13. O why am I moody and sad? 14. You understand? 15. Hail the bride of seventeen summers; When the buds are blossoming; Hold, bride and bridegroom; As pure and blameless pea 16. ACT 2 - I once was as meek 17. Happily coupled 18. In bygone days 19. Painted emblems of a race 20. When the night wind howls (The Ghosts' High-Noon) 21. He yields! He answers to your call! 22. Away, Remorse!; Ye well-to-do squires 23. I once was a very abandon'd person 24. My eyes are fully open 25. There grew a little flower 26. On, happy the lily 27. ADDITIONAL ITEM - Overture (original Hamilton Clarke version: 1887)
Composer
Sir Arthur (Seymour) Sullivan (1842 - 1900)
Genre
Stage works
Date Written
1887
Date Recorded
1950
Conductor
Isidore Godfrey
Orchestra / Ensemble
D'Oyly Carte Opera Orchestra
Main Performer
Ann Drummond-Grant (Contralto (Female alto)), Darrell Fancourt (Bass), Deidree Thurlow (Mezzo soprano), Ella Halman (Mezzo soprano), Leonard Osborn (Tenor), Martyn Green (Baritone), Radley Flynn (Bass), Richard Watson (Bass)
Opera Part(s)
Ann Drummond-Grant (Mad Margaret), Darrell Fancourt (Sir Roderick Murgatroyd), Deidree Thurlow (Zorah), Ella Halman (Dame Hannah), Leonard Osborn (Richard Dauntless), Martyn Green (Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd), Radley Flynn (Old Adam), Richard Watson (Sir Despard Murgatroyd)
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13/07/2005
Compare Sullivan: Ruddigore to other similar Classical »
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