The G&S For All Yeomen (1972)

Cast Lieutenant Michael Wakeham Colonel Fairfax Thomas Round Sergeant Meryll Donald Adams Leonard Meryll Glyn Adams Jack Point John Cartier Wilfred Shadbolt Lawrence Richard First Yeoman David Young Second Yeoman Clifford Parkes Elsie Maynard Valerie Masterson Phoebe Meryll Sylvia Eaves Dame Carruthers Helen Landis G&S Festival Chorus & Orchestra Conductor: Peter Murray

Sounds on CD VGS 241

BASF Viking 17 51098

This is an abridged recording and companion film by Gilbert & Sullivan For All, the touring group founded by Donald Adams and Thomas Round that was active for twenty years from 1963 to the early eighties. The recording is of particular interest to hear Valerie Masterson and Thomas Round in roles they never recorded with D'Oyly Carte, as well as to hear what John Reed's understudy (John Cartier) sounded like.

All of the G&S For All recordings use reduced orchestrations, and naturally Yeomen — Sullivan's most sophisticated Savoy Opera score — suffers here. The abridgement also results in many songs essential to the plot landing on the cutting-room floor (including, it seems, the vast majority of Act II). The linking narration in the film is not enough to give one the feel of this highly atmospheric opera.

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