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Offer,Sullivan, A: Iolanthe

John Reed (Lord Chancellor), John Ayldon (Mountararat), Malcolm Williams (Tolloller), Kenneth Sandford (Private Willis), Michael Rayner (Strephon), Lyndsie Holland (Queen of the Fairies), Judi Merri (Iolanthe), Pamela Field (Phyllis)

D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, Royston Nash

Judy Merri displays an admirably firm mezzo in the title role […] there is an extra spaciousness that enables orchestral detail to come through in all its brilliance […] D’Oyly Carte enthusiasts... — Gramophone Magazine, December 1974 More…

Release Date: 6th Nov 2015
Catalogue No: ELQ4820512
Label: Eloquence
Length: 1 hour 57 minutes

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Sullivan, A: Iolanthe

Work length1:57:56

Pamela Field (soprano), Majorie Williams (soprano), Michael Rayner (baritone), John Reed (baritone), Kenneth Sandford (baritone), Patricia Leonard (mezzo-soprano), Malcolm Williams (tenor), Lyndsie Holland (contralto), John Ayldon (bass), Judi Merri (mezzo-soprano)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus
Royston Nash
Recorded: 1974-02

Overture

Track length7:03

1. Tripping Hither, Tripping Thither

Track length6:42

2. Iolanthe! From Thy Dark Exile

Track length4:21

3. Good Morrow, Good Mother, Good Mother,Good Morrow

Track length3:15

4. Fare Thee Well, Attractive Stranger

Track length1:07

5. Good Morrow, Good Lover! Good Lover, Good Morrow!

Track length2:02

6. None Shall Part Us From Each Other

Track length3:16

7. Loudly Let The Trumpet Bray

Track length5:13

8. Entrance Of The Lord Chancellor Tha's

Track length0:31

9. The Law Is The Embodiment

Track length4:06

10. My Well-Beloved Lord

Track length4:07

11. Nay, Tempt Me Not

Track length0:25

12. Spurn Not The Nobly Born

Track length2:09

13. Lords, it may not be

Track length4:39

14. Said I To Myself, Said I

Track length2:58

15. When Darkly Looms The Day

Track length2:05

15a. Oh, Shameless One, Tremble'...

Track length16:43

16. When All Night Long A Chap Remains

Track length4:31

17. Strephon's A Member Of Parliament

Track length2:53

18. When Britain Really Ruled The Waves

Track length3:16

19. In Vain To Us You Plead

Track length3:19

20. Oh, Foolish Fay

Track length7:35

21. Though P'r'aps I May Incur Your Blame

Track length2:06

22. Love Unrequited

Track length5:56

23. If You Go In You're Sure To Win

Track length4:23

24. If You're Weak Enough To Tarry

Track length3:33

25. My Lord, A Suppliant At Your Feet

Track length2:33

26. It May Not Be

Track length5:03

27. Soon As We May, Off And Away

Track length2:06

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About

The D’Oyly Carte Company began its association with Decca after World War II, embarking on a series of recordings in the late 1940s and early 50s of the major Savoy Operas. A subsequent stereo-era cycle, begun in 1957, was followed in turn by a new series of which the present 1974 recording of Iolanthe is part of; in many respects, it is superior to its 1960 predecessor. Whereas the former set had used an ad-hoc orchestra, one of the glories of this remake is the contribution of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – immediately apparent from the atmospheric strings at the start of the overture (one of the few which Sullivan composed himself) and the brilliant woodwind playing in its fleet-footed dancing passages. Even though the RPO is far larger than the pit bands Sullivan composed for and conducted, it is a rare treat to hear one of his richest scores rendered so sumptuously under the assured baton of Royston Nash (company Music Director from 1971 to 1979).

Lead comedian John Reed’s reprisal of the Lord Chancellor is a more confident performance than on the 1960 set. He is supported by a generally excellent cast. The lovers Phyllis and Strephon benefit from the fine voices and lively personalities of Pamela Field and Michael Raynor. Field’s silvery soprano, in particular, is a great asset. Lyndsie Holland, who presided over the ‘old dame’ contralto roles from 1971 to 1977, is a commanding Fairy Queen, outwardly stern but with an irrepressibly warm heart. Judi Merri’s title role portrayal is ideally elfin, and her emotional involvement is affecting. A prodigy of Dame Eva Turner, Merri has an impressively full mezzo voice, although it can sometimes come across as a little overpowering on this recording. Stentorian bass-baritone John Ayldon oozes superciliousness as the unctuous Lord Mountararat, and Kenneth Sandford – John Reed’s only rival for company longevity and much-loved status – makes the most of his cameo as Private Willis.

Reviews

December 1974

Judy Merri displays an admirably firm mezzo in the title role […] there is an extra spaciousness that enables orchestral detail to come through in all its brilliance […] D’Oyly Carte enthusiasts should be well satisfied with the new issue

Offer,Sullivan, A: Iolanthe

2 CDs

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