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CD and Audio
THE GRAND DUKE
[Complete recording]
Label: Troy
Performed by: Ohio Light Opera
Orchestra: Ohio Light Opera Orchestra
Conducted by: J. Lynn Thompson
Artistic Director: Steven Daigle
No of Discs: 2
Amazon.co.uk Price: £23.99
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THE GRAND DUKE
Label: Decca
Performed by: D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus with Anne Eggleston, Barbara Lilley, Beti Lloyd-Jones, Glynis Pendergast, John Ayldon, James Conroy-Ward, Jon Ellison, Julia Goss, Jane Metcalfe, John Reed, Kenneth Sandford, Michael Rayner, Meston Reid, Patricia Leonard
Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by: Royston Nash / Sir Charles MacKerras
No of Discs: 2
Amazon.co.uk Price: £9.98
Contents
The Grand Duke (or The Statutory Duel), Henry VIII; March & Graceful Dance; Di Ballo
Ovt.
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THE GRAND DUKE
Label: London
Performed by: D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus with John Reed, Meston Reid, Kenneth Sandford, Michael Rayner, John Ayldon, Jon Ellison, James Conroy-Ward, Barbara Lilley, Lyndsie Holland, Julia Goss, Jane Metcalfe, Patricia Leonard, Anne Eggleston, Beti Lloyd-Jones, Glynis Pendergast
Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by: Royston Nash
No of Discs: 2
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Amazon.co.uk Customer Review
This is the least known and most unjustly neglected of all the Gilbert and Sullivan Operas. First produced in 1896, the general public's changing tastes in musical theatre, combined with some unusually over-wordy dialogue
from Gilbert, queered it's pitch.
However, musically THE GRAND DUKE is a Sullivan gem. More heavily orchestrated than most of the earlier Savoy Operas this is a musical feast in true Savoy style. The present recording was made in 1976 as a direct result of a single concert performance the previous year at the Savoy Theatre given during the D'Oyly Carte Centenary Season. I have always suspected that the intention (as with UTOPIA) had been to stage a full production as the parts of Viscount Mentone and Martha (speaking roles only) were cast, but also suspect that rehearsal time did not allow for this.
John Reed adds the role of Rudolph, the Grand Duke of the title, to his roster of G & S Patter roles, graciously leaving the immense part of Ludwig to the inimitable Kenneth Sandford. Julia Goss is superb as Julia Jellicoe, the
English comedienne starring with the German theatrical troupe; her mad scene is chilling and her extended number "All is darksome" is magnificent.
John Ayldon is excellent in the small role of the Prince of Monte-Carlo and went on to make the roulette song
truly and notoriously his own.
Musical gem is followed by musical gem from the overture right through to the finale with the Act Two opening chorus "As before you we defile" a definite highlight among highlights.
In the absence of a more recent recording, this is a definite must for any lover of Gilbert and Sullivan.
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