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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Neglected gem of true Savoy brilliance,
By A Customer
This review is from: Gilbert & Sullivan: The Grand Duke (Audio CD)
DECCA have reissued this set at mid-price with the original sleeve artwork.This is the least known and most unjustly neglected of all the Gilbert and Sullivan Operas. First produced in 1896, the general public's changing tastes in musical theatre, combined with some unusually over-wordy dialogue frm Gilbert, queered it's pitch. However, musically THE GRAND DUKE is a Sullivan gem. More heavily orchestrated than most of the earlier Savoy Operas this is a musical feast in true Savoy style. The present recording was made in 1976 as a direct result of a single concert performance the previous year at the Savoy Theatre given during the D'Oyly Carte Centenary Season. I have always suspected that the intention (as with UTOPIA) had been to stage a full production as the parts of Viscount Mentone and Martha (speaking roles only) were cast, but also suspect that rehearsal time did not allow for this. John Reed adds the role of Rudolph, the Grand Duke of the title, to his rosta of G & S Patter roles, graciously leaving the immense part of Ludwig to the inimitable Kenneth Sandford. Julia Goss is superb as Julia Jellicoe, the english comedienne starring with the german theatrical troup; her mad scene is chilling and her extended number "All is darksome" is magnificent. John Ayldon is excellent in the small role of the Prince of Monte-Carlo and went on to make the roulette song truely and notoriously his own. Musical gem is followed by musical gem from the overture right through to the finale with the Act Two opening chorus "As before you we defile" a definite highlight among highlights. In the absence of a more recent recording, this is a definite must for any lover of Gilbert and Sullivan.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Much Ignored G&S Comes up Trumps!!!!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Gilbert & Sullivan: The Grand Duke (Audio CD)
Although this opera is the most ignored, owing to the fact that everybody 'says' it is, I decided - as you should - to purchase a copy and see for myself. First off, I cannot express how much fun this opera is both through Gilbert's libretto and sullivans score, but through the interpretation the D'Oyly Carte performers deliver. I am very familiar with the other operas and would rate this 3rd behind The Mikado, HMS Pinafore, Ruddigore! It contains all of the G&S 'formula' that may be present in many of the operas, but the ideas portrayed here push the boundaries creating fun, fun, fun all the way....dont believe them, try it yourself!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
As Grand as it Gets,
By A Customer
This review is from: Gilbert & Sullivan: The Grand Duke (Audio CD)
The Grand Duke may be one of the least satisfying Gilbert & Sullivan operas, but the music is exceptional- far more so than the equally neglected score for Utopia Limited. This 1976 recording was the only one issued by the famous D'oyly Carte Opera Company. It excludes the dialouge, but the music is well performed, with the reliable John Reed a standout as the title character. John Ayldon provides one of the recordings brighter moments with "The Roulette Song," and the conducter R. Nash leads the orchestra through the unfamiliar material with a firm hand. Any Gilbert & Sullivan enthusiast must own this neglected gem.
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