The 1953 D'Oyly Carte Sorcerer

Cast Sir Marmaduke Fisher Morgan Alexis Neville Griffiths Dr. Daly Jeffrey Skitch Notary Donald Adams J. W. Wells Peter Pratt Lady Sangazure Ann Drummond-Grant Aline Muriel Harding Mrs. Partlet Beryl Dixon Constance Yvonne Dean D'Oyly Carte Opera Company New Symphony Orchestra of London Conductor: Isidore Godfrey

Decca LK4070

London A4215

Richmond 23058

This was the Company's first complete recording of The Sorcerer — the only prior recording, from 1933, was an abridged version. Regrettably, the opera had been out of the repertory since the mid-thirties (the scenery having been destroyed in WWII), and so none of the principals of this recording had never played their roles on stage. This was true of the 1966 recording as well, but the later set is better nonetheless. Peter Pratt's diction in the patter song is particularly poor.

A distinctive feature of this recording is the inclusion of the final dialogue (though abridged) that precedes the Act II finale. This was the first appearance of dialogue on a G&S recording, except for one speech on the 1924 Ruddigore.

The recording is musically complete except for the second verse of "When he is here," the first part of "Oh love, true love," and a piece of the Country Dance in Act II. Since all of these passages could have fit on the record, one assumes that they were standard D'Oyly Carte cuts during the twenties and thirties.

Richmond RS62015

During the 1950's, Decca issued highlights of this recording (side 2), coupled with highlights of the 1949 Pinafore (side 1). The items included were as follows:

1. Ring forth, ye bells
2. The air is charged
3. Time was when love and I were well acquainted
4. My kindly friends
5. Oh, happy young heart!
6. Welcome joy, adieu to sadness!
7. My name is John Wellington Wells
8. Thou hast the power
9. I rejoice that it's decided
10. Or he or I must die!