Gilbert & Sullivan: H.M.S. Pinafore (complete operetta)
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GILBERT & SULLIVAN
Gilbert & Sullivan: H.M.S. Pinafore (complete operetta)
Elizabeth Watts, Toby Spence, John Mark Ainsley, Andrew Foster-Williams / Scottish Opera, Richard Egarr
[ Linn / 2 CD ]
Release Date: Monday 2 May 2016
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This live recording of an acclaimed one-off, sold-out performance at the 2015 Edinburgh International Festival captures the wit and fun of Gilbert & Sullivan's HMS Pinafore.
Heading up a cast that reads like a 'who's who' of the opera world is John Mark Ainsley, Elizabeth Watts and Toby Spence.
Completing the star-studded line up is comedian Tim Brooke-Taylor (The Goodies, I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue) as the narrator. Conductor Richard Egarr (AAM, SCO) applies his extensive knowledge of period performance practice to recreate the sound and style typical of the late 19th century, a first for a G&S recording.
HMS Pinafore is rich in comic burlesque, sending up theatrical and operatic conventions and parodying the Italian opera of the day. The tongue-in-cheek writing is apparent from the opening chorus and the music is equally rich in comic pastiche and styles; 'For he is an Englishman' is one of the greatest master-strokes.
Climb aboard the HMS Pinafore for a hugely fun seafaring romp!
"The singers are first class and well suited to their roles - Toby Spence is well-suited the tenor role of Ralph (providing a pleasing and unexaggerated falsetto to the end of his ballad, "A Maiden Fair to See". John Mark Ainsley as Sir Joseph gives the character an affected aloofness with sufficient dryness to provide believable comedy. Elizabeth Watts is superbly-toned and sings Josephine's arias in a charming manner. The rest of the cast do equal justice, with soloists and chorus singing with excellent tonal balance, energy and commitment under Richard Egarr's leadership." (MusicWeb May 2016)
"[Egarr proves] himself a natural for this repertoire; the whole thing bounces, sparkles and smiles, with Scottish Opera's orchestra playing with the insouciant grace that is such a crucial element of operetta style. The cast is splendid...Elizabeth Watts is a gorgeous Josephine, Andrew Foster-Williams makes a perfectly proper Captain Corcoran and Hilary Summers's warm contralto is nicely suited to Little Buttercup." (Sunday Telegraph)
"Gilbert's satire...still resonates, and was a gift for Sullivan's talent for parodying Italian opera. That and its native tunefulness keep the score fresh, as this Scottish Opera performance under Egarr, recorded live at last year's Edinburgh International Festival, happily reminds us." (Sunday Times)
"It sounds like everyone involved was having a lot of fun. Richard Egarr, for example: who knew that he was such an affectionate Savoyard?...It was clearly one of those occasions where everyone plays off each other, and with a cast like this, the results are never less than engaging." (Gramophone)
Tracks:
Disc 1: Act I
1. Overture
2. We sail the ocean blue
3. Hail, men-o'-war's men
4. But, tell me
5. The Nightingale sighed
6. My gallant crew, good morning
7. Sir, you are sad!
8. Sorry her lot
9. Over the bright blue sea
10. We sail the ocean blue
11. I am the monarch of the sea
12. When I was a lad
13. For I hold that on the seas
14. A British tar
15. Refrain, audacious tar
16. Can I survive this overbearing
Disc 2: Act II
1. Entr'acte
2. Fair moon, to thee I sing
3. Things are seldom what they seem
4. The hours creep on apace
5. Never mind the why and wherefore
6. Kind Captain
7. Carefully on tiptoe stealing
8. Pretty daughter of mine
9. Farewell, my own
10. A many years ago
11. Oh joy, oh rapture unforeseen
