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HMS Pinafore
Gilbert & Sullivan, D'Oyly Carte
HMS Pinafore
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (15) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #2

Breathes there a soul so dead that the very thought of a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta fails to bring a smile to the lips and a spring to the step? Pinafore has reigned (along with The Mikado) as the most popular of ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Gilbert & Sullivan, D'Oyly Carte
Title: HMS Pinafore
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Polygram Records
Release Date: 7/21/1989
Genre: Classical
Style: Opera & Classical Vocal
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 028941428325

Synopsis

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Breathes there a soul so dead that the very thought of a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta fails to bring a smile to the lips and a spring to the step? Pinafore has reigned (along with The Mikado) as the most popular of the lot, and you can't go wrong with a D'Oyly Carte production. Some may prefer the more operatic version with Malcolm Sargent on EMI or the D'Oyly Carte troupe's earlier incarnations of the work. But this may well be the best of the bunch, thanks to a cast for whom singing G&S is as natural as breathing. Standouts include Thomas Round, whose lovelorn hero strikes just the right Victorian note, veteran Donald Adams, a superbly malevolent Deadeye Dick, Isidore Godfrey, whose buoyant conducting keeps the good ship afloat, and... well, they're all so good, why go on? Kudos to the engineers, too--their early stereo sonics don't sound dated at all. --Dan Davis

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CD Reviews

D'Oyly Carte at its peak!
Yi-Peng | Singapore | 07/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the finest D'Oyly Carte recordings of G&S, and one of the finest PINAFORE recordings. The cast on this recording is the best overall captured on record, and it would be hard to imagine a better performance by specialists as this. John Reed is a truly aristocratic Sir Joseph Porter; he is dry enough to make the part his own. Jeffrey Skitch makes a firm, strong first-class Captain, and the two lovers, Thomas Round and Jean Hindmarsh, sing with romanticism. Gillian Knight makes an impressive D'Oyly Carte debut as Little Buttercup, and George Cook as the Boatswain is perfectly resonant. As for the minor cast, Donald Adams makes an extremely menacing Dick Deadeye. The first-class choral singing and orchestral playing underpin the whole piece, and the present digital remastering presents a version of the recording that never belies its age. A must for all Savoyards!"
A 'Golden-Age' recording
Tahoe Granny | 02/24/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"When Decca decided to re-record the Savoy Operas beginning with The Pirates of Penzance (1958) and The Mikado (1958), both with Peter Pratt in the comedy roles, it was an inspiration to hear John Reed in his first recorded role. The dialogue is vintage performance and the singing is uniformerly high in standard. 'Die-hards' of the G&S operas may feel Gillian Knight a little 'stiff' and too refined for Little Buttercup, but she had only just left the Royal College of Music, and had been given the then eight roles in repertory to learn within six weeks! She is now known for her immaculate performances and when recently seen in performance by myself, in the role of the Fairy Queen, Iolanthe, she was superlative. Isidore Godfrey as conductor lovingly directs the music with such affection and discipline. The whole cast rises to the challenge set by him. Do get this recording, it is a must. DO NOT LOSE THE CHANCE OF OWNING ONE OF THE GREAT G&S RECORDINGS OF ALL-TIME."
Entertaining operetta with dry humor and stunning vocals
Julie Hyzy | USA | 12/02/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those of us for whom opera is just a bit "too much" Gilbert and Sullivan have created this romantic comedy set to delightful music. Following the story line is not difficult and every subsequent playing provides new discoveries. Even my children have gotten into it, although they're loathe to say so. Josephine and Rafe (sp?) have come alive for them and this can only be a good thing. Heck, someday it might answer a Jeopardy! question for them. Want to get into a good mood? Play this!"