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Reiner Torheit
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« Reply #150 on: 13:15:45, 25-02-2008 » |
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Many thanks to all who have made this a far deeper and more worthwhile discussion of the Savoy Operas than they usually get! I've certainly learnt a great deal, and go away with pause for thought about some of the commonplaces I believed I "knew" about these pieces.
By way of sharing a small discovery about Sullivan divorced from Gilbert, I picked up the Chandos recording of COX & BOX last week whilst in London (Richard Hickox, BBC Nat Orch of Wales, Gilchrist/Davies/Maxwell). What I didn't realise until I'd opened the wrappings is that this is a "restored" version of Sullivan's original orchestration for the piece (which is usually played with those notoriously unreliable orchestral parts supplied by the d'Oyly Carte organisation). It shines anew in this super performance, and I certainly recommend it. Paired with TRIAL BY JURY with the same forces on one disc.
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"I was, for several months, mutely in love with a coloratura soprano, who seemed to me to have wafted straight from Paradise to the stage of the Odessa Opera-House"
- Leon Trotsky, "My Life"
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Don Basilio
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« Reply #151 on: 15:29:43, 25-02-2008 » |
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I got that recording last year for the benefit of a modern Trial by Jury.
A star modern cast, but I could have done without the Counsel for the Plaintiff having a "funny" posh voice. And the most famous line was changed. ("She could very well pass for forty three in the dusk with the light behind her" was something like "She has often been taken.." Even Tony wasn't quite sure why they made the change.) Donald Maxwell sang the Judge's song at a great lick, which is brilliant, but I'm not sure it is necessary.
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To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh: a time to mourn, and a time to dance
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Tony Watson
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« Reply #152 on: 20:04:23, 25-02-2008 » |
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If you're interested in the restored version of Cox and Box, Reiner, you might want to consider this DVD: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cox-Trial-Jury-Frankie-Howerd/dp/B00004CILE(Ignore Frankie Howerd appearing as the Judge in Trial.) It includes a gambling scene and song (as well as the dialogue) which inexplicably the Hickox version omits, as well as restored versions of the songs. Although I have a sneaking suspicion the Hickox has even more notes - not too many and all in the right order - together they give a good idea of the original (although that was accompanied on a piano and harmonium, I think). I like the Hickox Trial but James Gilchrist has an annoying bleat in his voice as the defendent. Perhaps he was nervous appearing in court. |
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Reiner Torheit
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« Reply #153 on: 20:57:44, 25-02-2008 » |
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You mean there's a gambling scene in COX & BOX? Or in TRIAL? I assume you mean COX, as it was originally accompanied at the keyboard (by the composer). I've never heard of this, so thank you deeply for bringing it to my attention!  |
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"I was, for several months, mutely in love with a coloratura soprano, who seemed to me to have wafted straight from Paradise to the stage of the Odessa Opera-House"
- Leon Trotsky, "My Life"
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Tony Watson
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« Reply #154 on: 21:05:23, 25-02-2008 » |
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Sorry, I meant C&B. Cox and Box play a dice game and the loser has to marry Penelope Ann.  |
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Don Basilio
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« Reply #155 on: 21:07:15, 25-02-2008 » |
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We only need 20 more replies and this will be the thread with the second highest number of replies on The Opera House board!!
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To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh: a time to mourn, and a time to dance
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martle
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« Reply #156 on: 21:39:57, 25-02-2008 » |
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Well, I'll add one, and say again that it's been one of the best threads for ages - in terms of informed opinion, enthusiasm, civilised exchanges of views and humour. I am a G&S ignoramus, but am certainly moved to explore the repertoire further now. A model thread! Thank you, one and all.  |
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Green. Always green.
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Reiner Torheit
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« Reply #157 on: 21:47:51, 25-02-2008 » |
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Martle! Do you, by chance, have a birth-mark on your left arm? No? Nor do I! It means... we are long-lost twin brothers! Rataplan!! Tony, thanks for the C&B tip about the dice-game... I've ordered the cassette, and congratulated myself on my probity in not chucking-out my vcr |
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"I was, for several months, mutely in love with a coloratura soprano, who seemed to me to have wafted straight from Paradise to the stage of the Odessa Opera-House"
- Leon Trotsky, "My Life"
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martle
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« Reply #158 on: 21:50:15, 25-02-2008 » |
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Reiner,   Can I take it that 'the goods' have arrived, then?  |
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Green. Always green.
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MabelJane
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« Reply #159 on: 22:21:15, 25-02-2008 » |
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I've greatly enjoyed reading this thread. And just read through the libretto of Cox and Box for the first time, since you were discussing it. There are some interesting points made in links on this page: http://math.boisestate.edu/GaS/other_sullivan/cox_and_box/cox_and_box_home.htmlwhich you may have already found (I like the discussion on playing/miming the guitar). I'd like to see Cox and Box staged but there are several G&S operettas I still haven't seen.  This thread has whetted my appetite to seek them out! Who knows, I might join a local G&S Society... |
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Merely corroborative detail, intended to give artistic verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and unconvincing narrative.
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Tony Watson
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« Reply #160 on: 22:40:20, 25-02-2008 » |
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This thread seems to have reached the end of its shelf life...
Famous last words, DB old chum! Reiner, the video should be available in DVD format too. Russell Smythe as Cox is on good form in at, as are the others and I think it evokes Victorian times quite well. http://www.cris.com/~oakapple/gasdisc/cbwalk.htmThis gives a short review and some of the details of what is cut and what is restored. |
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Reiner Torheit
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« Reply #161 on: 22:45:38, 25-02-2008 » |
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Reiner, Can I take it that 'the goods' have arrived, then? Martle, I've actually been in London for the last week-and-a-half, and as we've had a National Holiday here today, I haven't had a chance to go and check on their safe arrival until tomorrow. But go, I shall! |
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"I was, for several months, mutely in love with a coloratura soprano, who seemed to me to have wafted straight from Paradise to the stage of the Odessa Opera-House"
- Leon Trotsky, "My Life"
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martle
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« Reply #162 on: 22:48:29, 25-02-2008 » |
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So how did you know about 'Rataplan', then RT? Or maybe this is co-incidence... and you've got a few knowing guffaws a-coming your way. (Sorry, everyone, this is off-topic.  ) |
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Green. Always green.
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Tony Watson
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« Reply #163 on: 16:03:59, 27-02-2008 » |
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Excitement in the Watson household this morning when the postman delivered the full score to The Gondoliers. It is published by Eulenburg, something I had only recently realized as I had assumed that the overture to Yeomen was the only thing they did. I had to order it direct from Germany, though, as places like Amazon didn't seem to stock it.
And what do we see? An extra trombone and a second bassoon in the orchestra!
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Reiner Torheit
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« Reply #164 on: 16:11:18, 27-02-2008 » |
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Ah, this must be a coincidence, Martle... COX & BOX has a running joke, that whenever the two rival lodgers ask their landlord awkward questions he tries to change the subject by singing "Rataplan! Ratplan! I'm a military man..."
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"I was, for several months, mutely in love with a coloratura soprano, who seemed to me to have wafted straight from Paradise to the stage of the Odessa Opera-House"
- Leon Trotsky, "My Life"
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