The G&S For All Iolanthe (1972)

Cast Lord Chancellor John Cartier Earl of Mountararat Donald Adams Earl Tolloller Thomas Round Private Willis Lawrence Richard Strephon Michael Wakeham Queen of the Fairies Helen Landis Iolanthe Ann Hood Celia Joy Roberts Leila Vera Ryan Phyllis Gillian Humphreys G&S Festival Chorus & Orchestra Conductor: Peter Murray

Sounds on CD VGS 239

BASF BUK 17 25137-36

This is an abridged recording made by G&S For All, the touring company founded by Thomas Round and Donald Adams. Several of the other performers (Cartier, Wakeham, Hood, Humphreys) also had D'Oyly Carte careers, but (except for Hood) didn't record much. Interestingly, Hood was a soprano in her D'Oyly Carte days but here sings mezzo, while Humphreys was a mezzo and here sings soprano.

Mel Moratti offered the following review:

The recording, as originally issued, is noted as being "Essential songs with complete libretto," though try as I might I never managed to locate the 'complete libretto' that is mentioned on the cover! The numbers seem to be a very random selection indeed, with the major omissions being "When I went to the Bar", "Oh Foolish Fay" and virtually all of the Act One finale. The complete Overture is included as well as the "He loves!...It May Not Be" scene.

The men are in excellent voice, especially John Cartier who bounces through his two solo numbers. The women, however, are very disappointing — mostly sounding as if they would rather be somewhere else. In "In Vain to Us You Plead," they sound so bored that it is no wonder the men leave! An interesting addition is the Sousa- like obligato piccolo in the Act One final chorus.

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