The Gondoliers The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2003-12-30 rating:
Gem from the silver age of D'Oyly Carte
This recording has now been reissued by DECCA at mid price with the original L.P. art work.pThis recording of THE GONDOLIERS comes from 1960 when the old D'Oyly Carte Opera Company was at the height of it's post-war powers. This was also one of the first recordings of what was to become affectionatly known as the 'DECCA 2nd Series', first series having begun in 1949 with TRIAL BY JURY and ended in 1955 with PRINCESS IDA.pTHE GONDOLIERS was also one of four recordings in this series to include complete dialogue, something that would spark endless debate. Some wanted the full dialogue with all recordings, some wanted none. I personally would say that Gilbert and Sullivan sparked off each other and as we want to hear every note of Sullivan we should hear every word of Gilbert. After all we expect ever word, spoken or sung, in a work by Offenbach, Lehar, Johann Strauss et al.pCertainly this recording has never been bettered as an all round representation of the piece as staged at that time by D'Oyly Carte and if to some the dialogue does seem stilted, well that is the way it was performed at that time, not just professionally, but by amateur companies worldwide, and in some cases still is.pBut the glory here is that there could not be a happier show - one to raise the spirits and to fill the soul with italianate sunshine!pJohn Reed - who had just one year previously been playing Antonio/Annibale - already revealing the talent that was to make him one of the great G S comedians, Gillian Knight a formidable Duchess, Mary Samson and Joyce Wright as Gianetta and Tessa, Kenneth Sandford, still a new comer, an excellent Don Alhambra, Alan Styler and Thomas Round imcomparable as Giuseppe and Marco. The whole supported by Isidore Godfrey conducting a superb chorus and orchestra.pThe only quibble is the ridiculous side break right in the middle of the Act One finale. Surely DECCA could have done something about this as there is room on the first CD for the whole act.

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review by: date: 2002-11-18 rating:
My complete works of G S - part III The Gondoliers
As I sit here, listening to the outstanding lyrics AND the witty repartee of 'The (complete) Gondoliers' whilst selecting parts IV and V of my growing G S collection, I was astounded to read the negative comments in the reviews regarding the inclusion of the spoken sections between the songs.pI grew up with my parents 'Best of ...' LP's blasting out of the record player on Sunday mornings, often (orphan?) G S most famous songs taken out of context and unsupported by the storylines. Catchy, but no real engagement required from the listener.pSo, one of the silent minority steps forward at long last! If you wish to fully appreciate the works, both the familiar and the unknown, please buy from this collection.pOn their own the songs may be diamonds, but diamonds ripped from their proper setting. I have gained so much more enjoyment and understanding now that I have experienced the whole work and look forward to years of happy listening, gaining additional glimpses of the genius behind the words and the music.pYou won't know what you are missing if you choose G S lite!

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review by: cuzn date: 2002-03-31 rating:
The full libretto has its pros and cons
This is a wonderful recording of The Gondoliers, probably the best in this d'Oyly Carte series. The Duke of Plaza-Toro and Don Alhambra del Bolero (performed respectively by John Reed and Kenneth Sandford) are outstanding - but then, they do have the best lines. The youngsters' rendition of 'In a contemplative fashion' is a highlight. The vocal and orchestral performances are an unqualified delight.pMy only quibble with this recording is that it includes the spoken sections of the opera as well as the sung. Usually, the repartee is over fairly quickly and segues into a new song. However sometimes there are long passages of conversation, occasionally lasting as long as seven minutes. This is an intrusion unless you are listening for the first time and are not familiar with the plot. It is hard work to press the fast-forward button every time they start chatting. pApart from this one minor complaint, however, I heartily recommend this recording.


review by: rcsy date: 2001-10-29 rating:
Possibly the best of all Gilbert Sullivan's work.
Once again Sullivan created a wonderful score for Gilberts libretto and The Gondoliers is without doubt one of the big five GS operettas along with Pirates, Iolanthe, Pinafore and The Mikado.pThis beautifully performed recording by the D'Oyly Carte opera company does the work full justice and the music still sends shivers down my back every time I hear it. The whole performance is on this double CD set including all the dialogue and can be an invaluable rehearsal aid for anyone planning on being involved in a performance but can be slightly irritating for anyone just wanting to enjoy the wonderful music.pThe story is well known but revolves around the mistaken identity of two common gondoliers, the Palmieri brothers, one of whom is the son of the King of Barataria left with an old gondolier for safekeeping during unhappy times. pWith his unfortunate early demise, any possibility of knowing which of the two brothers is the royal babe and which the son of Artisto Palmieri is lost causing a considerable problem for Don Alhambra, the Grand Vizier of the kingdom of Barataria, as the royal infant was married to Casilda, the daughter of the Duke of Plaza Toro, and the time has come to honour that marriage vow - but neither Casilda nor the brothers want anything to do with it.pThe tale unfolds switching between the Gondoliers and the arrival of the Ducal Party. The whole is beautifully sung by the entire cast with a lovely balance achieved between the two leading men - such a fundamental thing to the enjoyment of this particular operetta.pThe Ducal party is also well balanced with a good blend of voices for the lovely second act quartets ("In a contemplative fashion") and quintets ("I am a courtier grave and serious" is particularly well done).pThis recording has both been a help to me as an amateur taking part in a performance and a source of joy to listen to. Without doubt my favourite Gilbert and Sullivan!

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