Gilbert & Sullivan: Iolanthe

Gilbert & Sullivan (Artist), D'Oyly Carte (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 21, 1989)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B0000041Q1
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,790 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Iolanthe: Overture

2. Iolanthe: Act One: Tripping Hither, Tripping Thither

3. Iolanthe: Act One: Iolanthe

4. Iolanthe: Act One: Good Morrow, Good Mother

5. Iolanthe: Act One: Fare Thee Well, Attractive Stranger

6. Iolanthe: Act One: Good Morrow, Good Lover

7. Iolanthe: Act One: None Shall Part Us

8. Iolanthe: Act One: Loudly Let The Trumpet Bray

9. Iolanthe: Act One: Entrance Of The Lord Chancellor

10. Iolanthe: Act One: The Law Is The Embodiment

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Iolanthe: Act Two - When All Night Long A Chap Remains

2. Iolanthe: Act Two - Strephon's A Member Of Parliament

3. Iolanthe: Act Two - When Britain Really Ruled The Waves

4. Iolanthe: Act Two - In Vain To Us You Plead

5. Iolanthe: Act Two - Oh, Foolish Fay

6. Iolanthe: Act Two - Though P'r'aps I May Incur Your Blame

7. Iolanthe: Act Two - Love Unrequited

8. Iolanthe: Act Two - If You Go In You're Sure to Win

9. Iolanthe: Act Two - If We're WeakEnough To Tarry

10. Iolanthe: Act Two - My Lord, A Suppliant At Your Feet

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reed, Adams, Round, Sandford and Styler, all in one!, August 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Gilbert & Sullivan: Iolanthe (Audio CD)

This recording from 1960 was the second that John Reed had made. His rendition of the Lord Chancellor is a delight, although he was not fully 'rounded' in performance as in later years. This is a part that requires a mature experience. The downside being that this can also mean loss of control in diction, as was the case in his later recording of 1974. The rest of the cast are brilliant, the chorus superb and the whole performance under Isidore Godfrey magnificent. The inclusion of the use of the Grenadier Guards for the entrance of the Peers is well worth the purchase. They were usually used in performance when the company performed in London, dating a tradition from the original plan of Gilbert in his 1882 production. Of all the recordings made by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, especially since the late 1940's, this is quite the best. The dialogue is quite a joy and the scene from act 2, between Tolloller and Mountarat, affectionately known as the 'Thomas and George' scene is perfection itself. How we all miss such definitive renditions of the parts and with such style.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The peers and Peris, June 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Gilbert & Sullivan: Iolanthe (Audio CD)

This CD is much better than any other Iolanthe CD because it also has the dailogue. I found it great for myself as a performer who will appear in this play to listen to it so that I can be better aware of what is occuring so I know how to react to certain incidences. Anyone who loves Gilbert and Sullivan will love the complicated Act 1 Finale by far is one of the longest Finales written by G & S. The Invocation of Iolanthe is also quite dramatic. I hope you enjoy this CD as much as I, a seasoned Gilbert and Sullivan performer have enjoyed this awesome work of Gilbert and Sullivan.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A most timely satire, February 16, 1999

By 

F. Behrens "Frank Behrens" (Keene, NH USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gilbert & Sullivan: Iolanthe (Audio CD)

Never mind that this work has some of the most beautiful music ever composed for any musical format, it is Gilbert's lifelong battle against human stupidity (is there any other kind?)that makes this libretto so incredibly timely. The second act opens with a sentry commenting on how party loyalties make it unnecessary for politicians to have any brains at all when it comes to voting; and this is followed soon after by a song about how those who govern do best when they do not meddle "in matters which they do not understand." Good advice for bureaucrats who know how to run hospitals, schools, and private behavior. For once, you might not want to program out the dialogue...which is not given separate tracking so you could not do it anyway. A real treat for those who never heard IOLANTHE and the only recording with the complete dialogue.