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William Schwenk Gilbert (1836–1911) and Arthur Sullivan (1842–1900) However, the Lord Chancellor suggests the fairies avoid a pilot, not a pirate, has just completed his pirate their fate by inserting the word ‘don’t’ into the fairy law, apprenticeship (a misunderstanding on the part of his nanny, The Best of Gilbert and Sullivan thus commuting the death sentence and forcing the Queen Ruth, who is now also a member of the crew). Being a man CD 1 of the Fairies to marry a mortal herself! The fairies are then of his word he has waited for his release from the able to marry the peers and it is revealed that the Lord apprenticeship to break the news that he intends to use this H.M.S. Pinafore From Naxos 8.110175 24:48 Chancellor is in fact Iolanthe’s husband; they are reunited new freedom to destroy his comrades in arms. The pirates 1 Overture 4:14 and Phyllis is free to marry Strephon. The mortals are are most understanding, being genial and accommodating 2 Act 1: We sail the ocean blue (Chorus) 2:22 transformed into fairies and all fly away leaving the House chaps with a great empathy for orphans, having no parents 3 Hail, Men-O Wars men / I’m called Little Buttercup (Buttercup) 1:51 of Lords to be filled not by birth, but by intelligence. themselves. During this time the Major General’s daughters 4 My gallant crew, good morning / I am the captain of the Pinafore (Captain & Chorus) 2:18 Performed by: D’Oyly Carte Opera Chorus and Orchestra have crept up on the gang, and Frederic, having never seen 5 When I was a lad (Sir Joseph & Chorus) 2:58 another woman besides his nanny, makes advances towards 6 Act 2: Never mind the why and wherefore (Josephine, Captain & Sir Joseph) 2:37 The Lord Chancellor Martyn Green, baritone Private Willis Fisher Morgan, bass-baritone all, only to be accepted by one, Mabel. The Major General 7 Pretty daughter of mine / He is an Englishman (Captain, Ralph, Josephine, Boatswaine, Deadeye, arrives to find each one of his daughters attached to a Hebe, Sir Joseph & Chorus) 5:20 Earl Tolloller Leonard Osborn, tenor Earl of Mountararat Eric Thornton, baritone different pirate and promptly forbids all potential unions, 8 Oh joy, oh rapture unforeseen (Josephine, Hebe, Ralph, Deadeye, Captain, Buttercup, Sir Joseph & winning the pirates’ empathy and subsequent cooperation by Chorus) 2:47 Recorded London, 1951 lying that he too is an orphan. Frederic assembles a squad of policemen to take on the Patience From Naxos 8.110233 15:43 Trial by Jury – 1875 9 Act 1: I cannot tell what this love may be (Patience & Maidens) 2:23 pirates, but is dissuaded by Ruth and the Pirate King who 0 When I first put this uniform on (Colonel & Dragoons) 1:24 This forty-minute one-act operetta was the first work written remind him that he is only really five years old, having been ! Am I alone? If you’re anxious for to shine (Bunthorne) 4:26 by Gilbert and Sullivan for Richard D’Oyly Carte (following born on 29th February, and is therefore still an apprentice to @ Act 2: A magnet hung in a hardware shop (Grosvenor & Maidens) 2:28 their success with Thespis). It opened in March 1875 and the pirates. Being a man of duty he rejoins the gang whilst # So go to him and say to him (Bunthorne & Jane) 2:00 has been a long running favourite ever since. Mabel vows to wait (until 1940 when he will be of age). $ If Saphir I choose to marry (Duke, Major, Colonel, Angela & Saphir) 2:48 The story tells of a breech of promise of marriage case Now, once again a pirate, Frederic feels obliged to reveal that between Angelina and Edwin. The Jury is clearly very the Major General is not an orphan and the pirates resolve The Sorcerer From Naxos 8.110785–86 biased towards Angelina from the outset, and the Judge to attack and win back his daughters. This, however, is % Act 1: My name is John Wellington Wells (Mr Wells) 2:13 presiding is a hypocrite, having only risen to his position by thwarted by the police squad. The pirates are eventually Ruddigore From Naxos 8.110295 11:39 marrying an attorney’s ‘elderly ugly daughter’. Angelina saved by Ruth who reveals that each pirate is really a ^ Act 1: I know a youth who loves a little maid (Robin & Rose) 3:39 bemoans her love for Edwin, in an attempt to gain the nobleman gone wrong; they marry the General’s daughters & When the buds are blossoming (Rose, Hannah, Ensemble & Chorus) 3:34 greatest damages attainable and the entire matter is resolved and join the House of Lords. * Act 2: When the night wind howls (Sir Roderic & Ghosts) 2:35 by the Judge offering to marry Angelina. Performed by: D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and the ( My eyes are fully open (Sir Ruthven, Despard & Margaret) 1:40 Clearly a parody of the judicial system, Trial by Jury has New Promenade Orchestra its origins in Gilbert’s brief practice of law, which he Princess Ida From Naxos 8.110317–18 Edith Joan Gillingham, mezzo-soprano discarded for his writing. ) Act 1: If you give me your attention (King Gama & Chorus) 2:23 Major-General Stanley Martyn Green, baritone Performed by: D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and the Mabel Muriel Harding, soprano The Gondoliers From Naxos 8.110209–10 16:53 New Promenade Orchestra ¡ Act 1: We’re called gondolieri (Marco & Giuseppe) 2:12 Samuel Donald Harris, bass The Learned Judge Richard Watson, bass ™ When a merry maiden marries (Tessa & Chorus) 2:52 Frederic Leonard Osborn, tenor £ Now Marco dear my wishes hear (Gianetta, Tessa, Marco & Giuseppe) 3:11 Recorded London, July 1949 Sergeant of Police Richard Watson, bass ¢ Act 2: Take a pair of sparkling eyes (Marco) 3:11 Kate Joyce Wright, mezzo-soprano ∞ Dance a Cachucha (Chorus) 1:48 The Pirates of Penzance – 1880 Recorded London, July and August 1949 § In a contemplative fashion (Tessa, Gianetta, Marco & Giuseppe) 2:02 After the great success of H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of ¶ Here is a case unprecedented! (Casilda, Gianetta, Tessa, Marco & Giuseppe) 1:14 Penzance opened first in New York December 1879, The Yeomen of the Guard – 1888 followed shortly by London in April 1880. The Yeomen of the Guard is a satire of Queen Victoria’s own Frederic, a man of noble birth, who was intended to be personal guard. The work is unusual when compared to 8.111311-12 2 7 8.111311-12 111311-12bk Best G&S:570034bk Hasse 20/4/07 9:27 PM Page 6

Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd / Robin Oakapple Martyn Grand Inquisitor, Don Alhambra, to protect him from a coup CD 2 Green, baritone while he was very young. Unfortunately, no one can tell Iolanthe From Naxos 8.110231–32 26:12 Dame Hannah Ella Halman, mezzo-soprano which brother is the heir except his foster mother, Inez, also 1 Overture 7:18 Rose Maybud Margaret Mitchell, soprano mother to Luiz, the attendant to the Duke of Plaza-Toro; 2 Act 1: Loudly let the trumpet bray! (Chorus) 5:45 Sir Despard Murgatroyd of Ruddigore Richard Watson, Luiz is sent to fetch her. 3 Act 2: When all night long (Private Willis) 3:56 bass In the meantime, both gondoliers leave for Barataria to 4 When Britain really ruled the waves (Mountararat & Chorus) 2:58 Recorded London, July and August 1950 rule together until further notice. At this point it is revealed 5 Love, unrequited, robs me of my rest / When you’re lying awake (Lord Chancellor) 3:39 to them and their wives that one is now, unwittingly, a 6 If you go in (Mountararat, Tolloller & Lord Chancellor) 2:21 bigamist, as the heir was married to the Duke of Plaza-Toro’s Princess Ida – 1884 daughter, Casilda, before he was hidden. Gianetta and Tessa Trial by Jury From Naxos 8.110196–97 Princess Ida opened at the beginning of 1884 during the are naturally upset by all this, not to mention Casilda who 7 Act 1: When I, good friends (Judge) 2:56 period when Gilbert and Sullivan were at their most affluent. really loves Luiz. All is put right, however, upon the arrival The Pirates of Penzance From Naxos 8.110196–197 19:20 It is generally accepted as a brilliant work, both lyrically of Inez who reveals that she switched the heir, her foster 8 Act 1: Oh, is there not one maiden breast (Frederic, Mabel & Ladies) 4:08 and musically, but was somewhat dwarfed by both its child, with her own son to protect him and thus, Luiz is not 9 I am the very model of a modern Major-General (Major General & Chorus) 2:46 forerunners and successors each in its time. The operetta her son, but the heir to Barataria and the husband of Casilda. 0 Act 2: When the foreman bares his steel (Sergeant, Police, Mabel & Edith) 4:08 was designed to mock contemporary concern with women’s All parties agree this is a very satisfactory outcome. ! Ah! Leave me not to pine (Mabel & Frederic) 3:08 education. Performed by: D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and the @ When a felon’s not engaged (Sergeant & Police) 2:11 Princess Ida, daughter of King Gama (a disagreeable old New Promenade Orchestra # With cat-like tread (Pirates, Police & Samuel) 2:41 man), is betrothed to Prince Hilarion. However, she is studying at the entirely female establishment in Castle Tessa Yvonne Dean, soprano The Yeomen of the Guard From Naxos 8.110293–94 10:06 Adamant and refuses to marry. On discovering this, Gianetta Muriel Harding, soprano $ Act 1: I have a song to sing, O (Point, Elsie & Chorus) 3:33 Hilarion’s father, King Hildebrand, imprisons King Gama, Casilda Margaret Mitchell, soprano % Act 2: Oh! A private buffoon is a lighthearted loon (Point) 2:48 together with his sons, and sends Hilarion to infiltrate the Marco Palmieri Leonard Osborn, tenor ^ When a wooer goes a-wooing (Point, Faifax, Elsie & Phœbe) 3:38 Giuseppe Palmieri Alan Styler, bass institution and convince the Princess otherwise. The Mikado From Naxos 8.110176–77 20:40 Their infiltration is successful and the Princess eventually Recorded London, March 1950 & Act 1: A Wand’ring Minstrel I (Nanki-Poo & Chorus) 4:32 relents when King Hildebrand arrives and threatens to * Behold the Lord High Executioner / Taken from a county jail (Ko-Ko & Chorus) 2:14 destroy the castle and hang Ida’s father and brothers. After Iolanthe – 1882 ( As some day it may happen (Ko-Ko & Chorus) 2:03 all, she has fallen in love with Hilarion anyway. Iolanthe was written to lampoon the House of Lords. The ) Three little maids from school (Yum-Yum, Peep-Bo & Pitti-Sing) 1:30 Performed by: D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and the half-fairy, Strephon, loves Phyllis, but requires the blessing ¡ Act 2: A more humane Mikado / My object all sublime (Mikado & Chorus) 4:09 New Symphony Orchestra of Phyllis’s guardian, the Lord Chancellor, in order to marry ™ The flowers that bloom in the spring (Yum-Yum, Pitti-Sing, Nanki-Poo, Pooh-Bah & Ko-Ko) 1:24 King Gama Peter Pratt, baritone her. The entire House of Lords, including the Lord Chan- £ On a tree by a river / Tit-Willow (Ko-Ko) 2:29 cellor, is enamoured with Phyllis and so, naturally, the union Recorded London, late 1954 ¢ Finale (All) 1:55 is not granted. Iolanthe is Strephon’s mother and, as she is a fairy, does The Gondoliers – 1889 not look a day over seventeen. 25 years before the setting The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company This was the last great achievement by Gilbert and Sullivan of the operetta, Iolanthe committed the capital offence of before their relationship was irrevocably altered by the marrying a mortal (hence Strephon) and was only reprieved The very first collaboration between William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan was in 1871 with Thespis (now lost), written for famous ‘carpet quarrel’ in 1891. Unfortunately the pair when she gave up her husband. Phyllis, however, is unaware the Gaiety Theatre as part of their Christmas programme. At one of the 62 performances received by this work, Richard would, never again, reach the same lofty heights. of this, and assumes Iolanthe and Strephon are involved D’Oyly Carte spotted the pair’s combined potential and in 1875, in his position as the manager of the Royalty Theatre, he The gondoliers and brothers Marco and Giuseppe when she sees them together. Believing Strephon has commissioned them both to write a one act opera, to be performed alongside Offenbach’s La Périchole. This was to Palmieri, both married at the beginning of the operetta to betrayed her, Phyllis agrees to marry one of the peers. become Trial by Jury. Gianetta and Tessa respectively, are informed by the Duke In revenge, Iolanthe casts a spell forcing the Lords to On the strength of this work he was able to attract several investors and formed ‘The Comedy Opera Company’, and Duchess of Plaza-Toro that one of them is heir to the pass any law Strephon chooses. In doing this each fairy opening at the Opera Comique Theatre in November, 1877 with The Sorcerer. With the success of this work and, the later, Kingdom of Barataria. The heir was placed in Venice by the meets and falls in love with a peer; each condemning herself. H.M.S. Pinafore (1878) ‘The Comedy Opera Company’ flourished. In July, 1879, upon the expiry of the investors’ 8.111311-12 6 3 8.111311-12 111311-12bk Best G&S:570034bk Hasse 20/4/07 9:27 PM Page 4

contracts, the ownership passed entirely to Carte and, thus, the name was changed to ‘Mr R. D’Oyly Carte’s Opera Patience – 1881 A sorcerer, who introduces himself in the patter-song, Company’. By 1881, after the success of The Pirates of Penzance (1880), the enterprise had become so lucrative, Carte Patience was written as a satire of the popular Aesthetic “My name is John Wellington Wells”, is contracted by was able to build his own theatre, The Savoy, to where Patience (1881) was re-located half way through its run. Movement which swept London in the 1870s and 1880s. Alexis, a member of the upper class, to create a love philtre; The next ten years brought continued success to ‘The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company’ with the Savoy Operas Iolanthe When it was written in 1881 Gilbert feared the theme would Alexis wishes to see love cross the class barrier. He serves (1882), Princess Ida (1884), The Mikado (1885), Ruddigore (1887), The Yeomen of the Guard (1888) and The Gondoliers be quickly outlived, but its appeal, as one of the great Gilbert this to the villagers and it is such a great success that he and (1889). Unfortunately the close and constant collaboration between composer and librettist finally took its toll in 1891 & Sullivan operettas, has never waned. his fiancée, Aline, drink the philtre to ensure their future with an argument sparked by a carpet, but encompassing the full extent of the differences between Gilbert and Sullivan. The story tells of two poets, one ‘fleshy’ (Bunthorne) together. This unfortunately goes awry when Aline spots the This marked the beginning of the end and they only produced two more works, Utopia Limited (1893) and The Grand Duke and one ‘idyllic’ (Grosvenor), who both compete for the local vicar first and falls for him instead. Mr. Wells reveals (1896), neither of which ever became firm favourites nor was particularly successful. affections of Patience. Patience is under the strong belief that the only way to undo these effects is to sacrifice himself Upon the death of Richard D’Oyly Carte in 1901 ‘The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company’ passed to Richard’s second wife, that true love comes from selflessness and so, even though or Alexis, at which point the issue is put to the popular vote, Helen, who ran the company until her death in 1913. From here ownership fell to Richard’s son, Rupert, who managed she loves Grosvenor she agrees to marry Bunthorne as she which Mr. Wells loses, whereupon he promptly disappears the company through both world wars, staging tours and revivals before his death in 1948. At this point the company was finds him revolting. into the ground. passed to the family’s sole surviving member, Bridget, who oversaw the recordings featured on this disc, and helped the The other maidens, originally attached to the Colonel Performed by: D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and the company through the difficult transition, and temporary collapse in 1982, following expiration of the copyright in 1961, and his dragoons, then all fall for Grosvenor and pursue him New Symphony Orchestra fifty years after Gilbert’s death. It was Bridget’s legacy that allowed the restoration of ‘The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company’ relentlessly much to Bunthorne’s distaste, borne out of John Wellington Wells Peter Pratt, baritone in 1988. jealousy. Determined to beat Grosvenor at his own game, Recorded London, July 1953 This collection is compiled from the series of recordings made by ‘The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company’between 1948 Bunthorne resolves to cajole him into dressing down to look and 1954, under the baton of Isidore Godfrey, musical director for the company from 1929 to 1968. All but the last two like an everyday man, and thus redirect the maiden’s Ruddigore – 1887 Gilbert and Sullivan operettas commissioned by Carte can be found in this series, available in their entirety on Naxos interests. Grosvenor is thoroughly sick of being followed Historical. everywhere by this obsessive throng and agrees immediately. Ruddigore utilised theatrical melodrama to ridicule the Bunthorne, believing he has won, is now ecstatic, and contemporary obsession with etiquette and the supernatural. therefore no longer requires Patience’s selfless love. She is The Baronets of Ruddigore are cursed to commit one now free to break off the agreement and is content to marry crime each day, or else suffer an inconceivably horrid death. Synopses Grosvenor, as he is now an everyday man. The maidens Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd, rightful heir to the position of return to the dragoons and all but Bunthorne are happily baronet, has avoided his birthright by pretending he is dead married. and taking on the alias Robin Oakapple. Instead Sir Despard H.M.S. Pinafore – 1878 Josephine, the Captain’s daughter. They resolve this by Murgatroyd, his younger brother, has been obligated to H.M.S. Pinafore was a great success when it opened in May attempting to elope, but their plan is undone when Dick Performed by: D’Oyly Carte Opera Chorus and Orchestra accept this singular honour, even though he is really a good 1878, receiving 571 performances. This was no small feat, Deadeye informs the Captain. Little Buttercup then reveals Lady Angela Yvonne Dean, soprano person. As Robin, Sir Ruthven has fallen in love with the particularly as it parodied one of nineteenth-century Britain’s she fostered both the Captain and Ralph and accidentally Lady Saphir Ann Drummond-Grant, contralto prettiest maid in the village, Rose Maybud; unfortunately, he favourite institutions: the Royal Navy. This is epitomised in exchanged them at birth. This solves everything as the Colonel Calvery Darrell Fancourt, bass-baritone is far too shy to make an advance. Sir Joseph’s witty number “When I was a lad”, where he former Captain is free to marry Little Buttercup and Ralph, Reginald Bunthorne Martyn Green, baritone It is revealed that Robin is in fact Sir Ruthven and he is imparts the advice ‘stick close to your desks, and never go who is now the Captain, may marry Josephine. Patience Margaret Mitchell, soprano obliged to take up his position as Baronet of Ruddigore. He to sea, and someday you’ll be ruler of the Queen’s Navy’. Performed by: D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and the Lt. Duke of Dunstable Neville Griffiths, tenor is, however, unable to fulfil his crime quota and his ancestors In a similar vein to The Sorcerer, H.M.S. Pinafore also New Promenade Orchestra Lady Jane Ella Halman, mezzo-soprano come to life through the paintings in the manor and make deals with the issue of love across class boundaries. At the Dick Deadeye Darrell Fancourt, bass-baritone Major Murgatroyd Peter Pratt, baritone their objections clear. Sir Ruthven uses the logic that very beginning we are introduced to Little Buttercup, a Hebe Joan Gillingham, mezzo-soprano Archibald Grosvenor Alan Styler, bass avoiding committing a crime in his position is tantamount bumboat woman who boards the Pinafore to sell her rather Sir Joseph Porter Martyn Green, baritone Recorded London, 1951 to suicide and this, being a crime in itself, means the curse haphazard collection of stock. During her time onboard Little Buttercup Ella Halman, mezzo-soprano cannot fail to be fulfilled, and, therefore, all his ancestors both the Captain and Sir Joseph fall for her; she reciprocates Josephine Muriel Harding, soprano The Sorcerer – 1877 died in vain; thus Rose returns to marry Sir Ruthven. only the Captain, who unfortunately cannot follow his heart Ralph Rackstraw Leonard Osborn, tenor The first operetta to be produced within the new organisation Performed by: D’Oyly Carte Opera Chorus and Orchestra because of his station. Captain Corcoran Leslie Rands, baritone founded by D’Oyly Carte, The Sorcerer received its first Mad Margaret Ann Drummond-Grant, contralto Concurrently, Ralph, a lowly able seaman, has fallen for Recorded London, 1948 performance in November 1877. Sir Roderic Murgatroyd Darrell Fancourt, bass-baritone

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other Gilbertian plot lines as there is no dramatic twist of national vogue for Japanese culture at the time, The Mikado topsy-turvy logic which facilitates the happiness of all is one of the pair’s finest works. parties. The son of the Mikado of Japan disguises himself as a The operetta is set during the Shakespearean period. wandering minstrel by the name of Nanki-Poo and travels to Colonel Fairfax is sentenced to death for sorcery and is held the Town of Titipu to avoid marrying Katisha, to whom he in The Tower awaiting his execution. He has been accused is betrothed. His reasons are two-fold, Katisha is hideous, of this false crime by his cousin, Sir Clarence Plotwhistle, and he is in love with Yum-Yum. Since Nanki-Poo’s original who stands to inherit Fairfax’s entire estate upon his death. meeting with Yum-Yum, her fiancée, Ko-Ko, has been To avoid the estate falling to his accuser, Fairfax asks a guard sentenced to death for flirting, thus Nanki-Poo has returned to find him a wife – as he will be dead within the hour and to pursue her. has a huge fortune this is not a difficult task; Elsie Maynard, Unfortunately Ko-Ko has avoided death by becoming fiancée of the jester Jack Point, rises to the occasion and Lord High Executioner, on the understanding that he find the ceremony takes place with the bride blindfolded. someone else to execute. When Nanki-Poo discovers he Unfortunately for Point, Fairfax escapes with the help cannot marry Yum-Yum he decides to take his own life; of two loyal admirers, Sergeant Meryll of the Yeomen of Ko-Ko capitalises on this opportunity by offering to behead the Guard and his daughter, Phœbe. Posing as Leonard, Nanki-Poo in his official capacity, reasoning that the final Meryll’s son, Fairfax woos his new wife, Elsie, to test her outcome will be the same in both cases. Nanki-Poo agrees fidelity; having never seen her husband she is completely on the condition that he marries Yum-Yum first and Ko-Ko unaware of Leonard’s real identity. Meanwhile, Point reluctantly agrees. It is discovered, however, that when a inveigles the Head Gaoler, Wilfred, to stage the death of man is executed, his wife is buried alive and in order to avoid Fairfax, who cannot be found, thus releasing Elsie from the this disaster, Ko-Ko, Pitti-Sing and Pooh-Bah pretend the marriage contract. By this point, however, Elsie has fallen deed has already taken place. On discovering that Ko-Ko for Leonard Meryll, who, fortunately for her, is also her has in fact executed his only son, the Mikado sentences Ko- husband, Fairfax. A pardon for Fairfax arrives leaving one Ko and his conspirators to death. He reneges, however, happily married couple with the other central characters when Ko-Ko falls in love with, and marries, Katisha, rather perturbed by their own matches and Point without a allowing Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum to come out of hiding wife at all. and reuniting the Mikado with his son. Performed by: D’Oyly Carte Opera Chorus and Orchestra Performed by: D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and the Phœbe Meryll Ann Drummond-Grant, contralto New Promenade Orchestra Jack Point Martyn Green, baritone The Mikado Darrell Fancourt, bass-baritone Elsie Maynard Muriel Harding, soprano Pitti-Sing Joan Gillingham, mezzo-soprano Colonel Fairfax Leonard Osborn, tenor Ko-Ko Martyn Green, baritone Recorded London, July 1950 Yum-Yum Margaret Mitchell, soprano Nanki-Poo Leonard Osborn, tenor The Mikado – 1885 Pooh-Bah Richard Watson, bass The Mikado’s initial run lasted 672 performances, a world- Peep-Bo Joyce Wright, mezzo-soprano record at the time and one that remained unbroken by Gilbert Recorded London, March 1950 and Sullivan operettas until the revival of The Pirates of Penzance on Broadway in 1981. Capitalising on the inter- Alexander Hargreaves

2 CDs 8.111311-12 8 NAXOS Historical 8.111311-12 The Best of Playing 2 CDs Time ൿ BROADCASTING AND COPYING OF THIS COMPACT DISC PROHIBITED. TRANSLATIONS RESERVED. UNAUTHORISED PUBLIC PERFORMANCE, ALL RIGHTS IN THIS SOUND RECORDING, ARTWORK, TEXTS AND 149:18

2001–2006 & GILBERT AND SULLIVAN

8.111311-12 CD 1 71:48 CD 2 77:30 Whilst William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan were both respected in 1–8 24:25 1–6 25:47

Ꭿ their own right and during their H.M.S. PINAFORE or, The IOLANTHE or, The Peer and

2007 Naxos Rights International Ltd. 2007 Naxos Rights International own time, Gilbert as a playwright Lass That Loved a Sailor the Peri (1882) and Sullivan as a composer, their (1878) The Best of 7 2:55 collaboration under the manage- 9–$ 15:18 TRIAL BY JURY (1875) ment of D’Oyly Carte proved an PATIENCE or, Bunthorne’s 8–# 18:50 inspired combination in the late Bride (1877) THE PIRATES OF Victorian period. Gilbert’s fantast- % 2:09 PENZANCE or, The Slave of ical plots together with Sullivan’s THE SORCERER (1877) Duty (1880) inventive settings have come to SULLIVANGILBERT AND ^-( 11:21 $–^ 9:52 epitomise much of what we consi- RUDDIGORE or, The Witch’s THE YEOMEN OF THE der to be British culture in the 19th Curse (1887) GUARD or, The Merryman century. Indeed, so great was this institution that The D’Oyly Carte ) 2:21 and his Maid (1888) GILBERT AND GILBERT SULLIVAN Opera Company is still performing PRINCESS IDA or, Castle &–¢ 20:06 the operettas of Gilbert and Adamant (1884) THE MIKADO or, The Town Sullivan today, and so are many ¡–¶ 16:14 of Titipu (1885) other companies, both amateur THE GONDOLIERS or, The and professional. These excerpts, King of Barataria (1889) from 1948–1954, are recorded as The Best of The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company Chorus & Orchestra, they were originally intended, in The New Promenade Orchestra, The New Symphony Orchestra the great tradition of The D’Oyly MADE IN and Isidore Godfrey Carte Opera Company. THE EU

Recording Dates: H.M.S. Pinafore, 1948; Trial by Jury & The Pirates of Penzance, 1949; 8.111311-12 05537 Ruddigore, The Gondoliers, The Yeomen of the Guard & The Mikado, 1950; Patience & Iolanthe, 1951; The Sorcerer, 1953; Princess Ida, 1954. Archivist & Restoration Producer: David Lennick • Digital Noise Reduction: K&A Productions Ltd. Sleeve notes by Alexander Hargreaves • A complete track list can be found in the booklet The libretto for all tracks is available as a .pdf file as an extra on CD1, and at www.naxos.com/libretti/111311.htm • Cover Images: Private Collection www.naxos.com ADD NAXOS Historical NAXOS