11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sargent Ruddigore Surprisingly Good, January 24, 2003
This review is from: Ruddigore / Merchant of Venice / Tempest (Audio CD)
I purchased this Ruddigore with some trepidation, having been disappointed before by Sargent's rather dull Mikado and Pinafore (but not his Trial by Jury, which is excellent). How surprised I was when I found this performance to be far better than my D'Oyly Carte (1962) recording! Owen Brannigan makes a truly fine Sir Despard (terrifying in voice, together with a cracking whip for atmosphere)and Grand Opera's Joseph Rouleau's true bass makes for a very exciting (and scary) version of "When the Night Wind Howls"--even better, in my opinion, than the wonderful Donald Adams. A bit of mugging/"hamming" by George Baker (Robin Oakapple) and the chorus adds welcome "atmosphere" to the performance. Excerpts from Sullivan's incidental music to "The Tempest" and "The Merchant of Venice" are nice extras reminding me that there is more of Sullivan to buy. Simply put, a very pleasant surprise.
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