- Audio CD (24 Mar 2003)
- Number of Discs: 2
- Label: Decca (UMO)
- ASIN: B00008LJEW
- Other Editions: MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 134,759 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Of course everyone has personal favourites amongst the G & S recorded repertoire and certainly for me PRINCESS IDA is far more immediate, far better paced, in the 1953 recording, but suffers from an ageing Victoria Sladen in the title role. The 1965 recording presented here, has the advantage of Elizabeth Harwood and also the young Valerie Masterson making her recording debut as Melissa.
John Reed as King Gama is remarkably subdued for him, but then he has little to do and the lack of dialogue deprives him of much of his vehicle. Kenneth Sandford however, turns in a wonderful King Hildebrand.
Hilarion (Philip Potter) and his friends have great fun in Act Two and the second act finale is a highlight.
Sir Malcolm Sargent's pacing may be more relaxed but in general this is a beautiful recording.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
As a young man I was enchanted by the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan, and hungrily collected and listened to all of the wonderful Decca recordings from the 1950s that were being reissued at the time. I then discovered that these pieces had been rerecorded in the '60s and '70s and started collecting the newer versions. Some were more successful in their reincarnations than others (I still much prefer the 1958 Isidore Godfrey recording of the Mikado to its all too perky, yet less charming, '70s remake), but Princess Ida was the one that I always felt had come to its finest moment in this version.
The casting is incredibly strong from top (the gorgeous soprano and real pathos of Elizabeth Harwood as Princess Ida) to bottom (the wonderfully bluff Arac of Donald Adams). The trio of young men all sound fun and the beautiful ensembles of Act 2 are quite simply heavenly; especially 'The world is but a broken toy' surely one of the most human moments in all Gilbert and Sullivan. Sir Malcolm Sargent conducts with operatic weight when needed, but also a lightness of touch that almost recalls Isidore Godfrey at his best, and the King Gama of John Reed, although often criticised, is surely a most disagreeable portrayal.
Pinapple Poll, the ballet constructed and orchestrated by Sir Charles Mackerras on themes from the G&S operettas and Sullivan's Overture di Ballo, is truly charming and even more enjoyable for those of us know the story (based on one of Gilbert's Bab Ballads) and realise the care that was taken in choosing the music so that the lyrics at any point of the piece match the story.
Is my view rose-tinted by melancholia? Maybe, but excuse me...I just have to press play again on the CD player.
The casting is incredibly strong from top (the gorgeous soprano and real pathos of Elizabeth Harwood as Princess Ida) to bottom (the wonderfully bluff Arac of Donald Adams). The trio of young men all sound fun and the beautiful ensembles of Act 2 are quite simply heavenly; especially 'The world is but a broken toy' surely one of the most human moments in all Gilbert and Sullivan. Sir Malcolm Sargent conducts with operatic weight when needed, but also a lightness of touch that almost recalls Isidore Godfrey at his best, and the King Gama of John Reed, although often criticised, is surely a most disagreeable portrayal.
Pinapple Poll, the ballet constructed and orchestrated by Sir Charles Mackerras on themes from the G&S operettas and Sullivan's Overture di Ballo, is truly charming and even more enjoyable for those of us know the story (based on one of Gilbert's Bab Ballads) and realise the care that was taken in choosing the music so that the lyrics at any point of the piece match the story.
Is my view rose-tinted by melancholia? Maybe, but excuse me...I just have to press play again on the CD player.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is the best cast ever assembled for a commercial recording of "Princess Ida". Well cast, with an exceptional Hilarion from Phillip Potter, and a gorgeous Ida from Elizabeth Harwood. Harwood recorded far too infrequently, and we are grateful that we have this and "Yeomen". What lets it down at times is Sargent's curious tempi for some numbers like "The woman of the wisest wit." Godfrey's conducting on the 1953 is more idiomatic and satisfying. The 1953 would be the first choice except for the vastly miscast Victoria Sladen as Ida. As well as a better Ida, this is one of Decca's better sounding recording. Fabulous sound, far superior to the 1953 one. This is an opera which I think is much better enjoyed on record. In performance, Gilbert's libretto is rather dull and uninteresting. But Sullivan has supplied some of his best music.
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