At the time of his death in November 1900, the score of THE EMERALD ISLE lay incomplete on Sullivan's desk. This left an ailing Richard D'Oyly Carte with a problem, for here was a potentially successful opera for the Savoy, but only two-thirds had beren written. In the event the impresario commissioned Edward German, a composer much admired by Sullivan and a one time member of the Savoy orchestra, to complete the score.
Just how much Sullivan actually left is not known. That he completed the first two numbers of the opera in full score can be evidenced from the composers diaries, but what he left in terms of orchestral sketches or melodic or harmonic lines for other numbers is not documented. The Chappell vocal score and libretto annotate each number in the score to one or other composer; but rehearsal and performance are an enlightening experience, and during the rehearsals for the 1999 St David's Players production (especially when joined by the orchestra), it became very apparent that there were musical turns of phrase in some of the numbers attributed to Edward German that could only have been written by Sullivan, and vice versa.
THE EMERALD ISLE recording from Prince Consort is quite a different matter when compared with their ROSE OF PERSIA. This is the only commercial recording ever released (originally on L.P.) and this time the performance is far better paced. Professor Bunn is played by the same bass as Hassan (Richard Broujo), but the voice seems somehow less obtrusive.
With EMERALD ISLE of course, as mentioned above, one has the fun of spotting the numbers written by Sullivan and those by German. This would seem a simple matter as, also mentioned above, the vocal score allocates each number in the score to one or other composer and this is reproduced in the booklet.
This recording of EMERALD ISLE is a delightful introduction to the work and, in the absence of any full-scale professional recording of either of these works, the set is a must for Sullivan lovers and lovers of Comic Opera in general. It is available on the PEARL label - GEMS 0189.
In 1999, St David's Players were commissioned by the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society to present a performance of THE EMERALD ISLE at their festival, to be held that year at the Toorak Hotel in Torquay. The festival was scheduled for mid-May and therefore, to make the rehearsal of such a rare piece worthwhile, the decision was taken to present the work at the Barnfield Theatre, Exeter over the May Day weekend. These three performances commenced unusually on the Saturday and ran until Bank Holiday Monday. The performances took the form of a semi-staged, costumed concert performance with linking narration replacing most of the dialogue.
Fortunately, the performance at Torquay was recorded by a member of the audience using a hand-held cassette recorded and was later issued by St David's on CD. The recording is musically complete (apart from one very short passage when the cassette had to be changed), and the second disc is completed with highlights from the previous night's concert, "Sullivan and Who?", given by Occasional Harmony. Any members wishing to obtain a copy should email St David's Players.
To hear the end of the Act 1 Finale "Come away sighs the fairy voice" sung by Penny Daw and the full company - click here.