Gilbert & Sullivan: The Mikado

Arthur Sullivan (Composer), John Pryce Jones (Conductor), D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus and Orchestra (Orchestra), Bonaventura Bottone (Performer), Deborah Rees (Performer), Susan Gorton (Performer), Malcolm Rivers (Performer), Thora Ker (Performer), Yvonne Patrick (Performer), Michael Ducarel (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Bonaventura Bottone, Deborah Rees, Susan Gorton, Malcolm Rivers, Thora Ker, et al.
• Orchestra: D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus and Orchestra
• Conductor: John Pryce Jones
• Composer: Arthur Sullivan
• Audio CD (October 19, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000029KF
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,147 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

2. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

3. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

4. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

5. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

6. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

7. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

8. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

9. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

10. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

2. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

3. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

4. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

5. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

6. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

7. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

8. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

9. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

10. The Mikado (The Town of Titipu), operetta

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A superlative performance ruined only by ONE small bemish, July 8, 2000

By 

Yi-Peng (Singapore) - See all my reviews

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

With this first digital Mikado recording, and the second digital one by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, we are in for an unforgetable musical experience. This recording presents a strong performance, with excellent crisp orchestral playing and ppowerful choral singing, capped by excelelntly wide-ranging digital sound. The one weak link is Michael Ducarel's portrayal of the eponymous title character. Even though he sings in tune, his voice is a little bit weak and small. The role of the Mikado is supposed to be firm and powerful, but this Mikado lacks a lot of the satanic glitter present in Donald Adams' portrayal. Also, Ducarel's cackle is rather weak. The rest of the cast is tremendously strong, even the minors. Bonaventura Bottone's portrayal of Nanki-Poo draws on experience from playing the role in the English National Opera production. Eric Roberts makes a light and airy Ko-Ko, giving a crisp performance, ruined only by a new verse in the Little List song. Malcolm Rivers makes a sonorous haughty Pooh-Bah, and he is joined by Deborah Rees' silken and seductive Yum-Yum and Susan Gritton's commanding Katisha. Overall, I would say that you should buy this recording, and that despite the minor flaw, this is a praiseworthy performance.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A vibrant rendition !, February 13, 2000

By 

"bunthorne" (Bristol, UK) - See all my reviews

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

This recording from the late 1980's is a fresh interpretation of a much recorded operetta. This 'Savoy Opera' is the most popular of the 14 Savoy Opera canon and certainly the most widely quoted in the English speaking world. Many elements of this recording are worth the purchase, but my prefrence is for Susan Gorton as Katisha. Her interpretation of this role gives new impetus to what is usually an uninspired performance. Memories of the late Ann Drummond-Grant (1958 Decca, D'Oyly Carte recording) and the performance on stage by Christene Palmer (1960's-70's)are at last realised in a modern recording. The performer of the title role,is not that 'special' in fact, quite lack-lustre. to hear the best peformer of this role collect the recording with Donald Adams (1958, Decca or 1993, Telmarc) and/or Darrell Fancourt (1949, Decca - Ace of Clubs) Otherwise, enjoy this with recently found composer-autograph music sections, as a bonus.

33 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Libretto would be helpful, April 23, 2000

By 

Ron Parker (Minnetonka, MN USA) - See all my reviews

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

This CD is about G&S's crown jewel: The Midado. The music is great. The musicianship is great.

Now we hear from the curmudgeon. I'm sure that there are those who could not care less if the CD came with or without a libretto. I happen NOT to be one of them. And unfortunately this album comes without one.

Gilbert's machine-gun poetry needs to be read at the time that Sullivan's music is being sung. For me, not having a libretto is like getting only half a loaf. Sullivan's music is sublime, but Gilbert's poetry needs to be read and savored. You can't do that without a libretto.