Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
|
Disc 1:
Disc 2:
|
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having posted reviews of the Mackerras G&S recordings, I decided that I would do the same with the Sargent, so-called "Glyndebourne" recordings, which had been my first introduction to G&S on disc, or, as it was at the time, on cassette. I am delighted to report that these versions still compare more than favourably with most of their rivals and although recorded between 1957 and 1963, the sound is more than acceptable and the playing and singing are very fine indeed; the tempi are perhaps a little lugubrious at times, but to my ears at any rate, the singers are far superior musically to their D'Oyly Carte counterparts and I do not agree with the frequent criticism that they lack an idiomatic feel for the genre. There is very much a "house team" of singers, led by the soprano Elsie Morison, the contraltos Monica Sinclair and Marjorie Thomas, the tenor Richard Lewis, the baritone John Cameron and the bass Owen Brannigan. They were among the leading British (and Australian) singers of the day and excelled particularly in choral music. Smaller parts are taken by artists who would go on to have major international careers, including Elizabeth Harwood, Heather Harper and Helen Watts. The "patter" parts in the earlier recordings are taken by Sir Geraint Evans, who is vocally a bit too heavy, and in the later recordings by the veteran George Baker, who would have been perfect had he not been so old. The recordings, incidentally, are not based on Glyndebourne productions; they simply use the Glyndebourne orchestra and chorus, which at the time numbered such future luminaries as Dame Janet Baker.
"Iolanthe" is one of the most successful recordings in the series. George Baker is on top form as the Lord Chancellor and he is ably partnered by Alexander Young and Ian Wallace as the two lords. The latter shapes "When Britain really ruled the waves" beautifully, even though I would have preferred a slightly heavier voice. John Cameron is perhaps a little too heavy-voiced as Strephon, but as ever he sings stylishly and he and Elsie Morison make an engaging pair of lovers. Marjorie Thomas sings beautifully in the title role, while Monica Sinclair is in her element as the Fairy Queen. Owen Brannigan predictably turns the Sentry's song into a real showstopper, while the small parts of Celia and Leila are taken by two future star sopranos, April Cantelo and Heather Harper. As ever, the choral singing is magnificent. The Di Ballo overture is a splendid filler. Buy this; you will not be disappointed!
"Iolanthe" is one of the most successful recordings in the series. George Baker is on top form as the Lord Chancellor and he is ably partnered by Alexander Young and Ian Wallace as the two lords. The latter shapes "When Britain really ruled the waves" beautifully, even though I would have preferred a slightly heavier voice. John Cameron is perhaps a little too heavy-voiced as Strephon, but as ever he sings stylishly and he and Elsie Morison make an engaging pair of lovers. Marjorie Thomas sings beautifully in the title role, while Monica Sinclair is in her element as the Fairy Queen. Owen Brannigan predictably turns the Sentry's song into a real showstopper, while the small parts of Celia and Leila are taken by two future star sopranos, April Cantelo and Heather Harper. As ever, the choral singing is magnificent. The Di Ballo overture is a splendid filler. Buy this; you will not be disappointed!
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
