Search - Arthur Sullivan, Andrew Penny, Royal Ballet Sinfonia :: The Gilbert and Sullivan Overtures

Lori Z. (Loreli) from WOODHAVEN, MI
Reviewed on 9/15/2006...

A must for all G & S fans.

First Rate G & S

Glen M. Peters | La Grange,IL | 08/27/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Like any true "Savoyard",you will be singing along with the overtures found on this disc.Andrew Penny is a fine conductor and treats the music with the right touch of wit and romance.The "Cox and Box" overture (not a true G & S piece)is a great opener to the disc and putting the overtures in historical order lets the listener follow Sullivan's progression from a follower of Liszt and Mendelsohn to a composer with truly his own voice.My only complaint,and it's a very minor one,is that Penny and Naxos couldn't find room for Sullivan's best concert work,the "Overture DiBallo" on the disc.However the inclusion of the last and rarely performed G & S opera "The Grand Duke" more than makes up for it.I would recomend this to anyone just starting their G & S collection.Great price too!!!!"

Simply Splendid!

Peter Prainito | Lombard, IL USA | 07/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One could not hope for a better collection of Gilbert & Sullivan overtures than these as performed by Andrew Penny and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. With modern digital sound and spirited ensemble playing, one is left yearning for more. The overtures, though not the complete set, nicely cover many of the most popular G & S operettas. So tuneful are they, you can't help but sing along with the familiar melodies. More installments from this group would be very welcomed indeed. This disc has put a smile on my face and left me in a good mood each time I've played it, which has been often. I particularly enjoy the version of "The Gondolier's" contained on this disc because it includes additional music from the operetta not found on other recordings that I own. This collection is one that you will treasure, and can be recommended whole heartitly!"