PRINCESS IDA is, perhaps, not as overtly comic as most of the Gilbert and Sullivan series. As a "Respectful Operatic Per-Version" (as Gilbert described the piece) of the long narrative poem THE PRINCESS by Tennyson, Gilbert had in fact already presented a version of the work on stage at the Olympic Theatre in 1870. In that version, which retained the title THE PRINCESS, the piece had been in five scenes with musical numbers set to existing melodies from operas by Auber, Offenbach, Rossini et al.
For PRINCESS IDA Gilbert retained much of his blank verse dialogue from the earlier work, wrote fresh lyrics for the musical numbers, tightened the action and converted the five scenes into a Prologue and Two Acts (later redesignated as Three Acts).
The plot follows the poem fairly closely although whereas Tennyson's Prince and his father are nameless, Gilbert gives them the names of Hilarion and Hildebrand.
As for the music, the recently knighted Sullivan is on top form providing a score with many exquisite moments. Indeed, the second act is often dubbed "the string of pearls" as there is a succession wonderful numbers which build up to one of the most exciting G & S Finales.
Despite an initial run at the Savoy in 1884 of just 246 performances, IDA remained in the repertoire of the touring D'Oyly Carte companies right up to the outbreak of the second world war, during which the costumes and sets were destroyed in the blitz by a direct hit on the company's East London stores. The opera returned to the repertoire during the London season of 1954/5 and was regularly performed up until the season of 1977/78. The company finally disbanded in 1982.
PRINCESS IDA arrived in the recording studio fairly late. His Master's Voice had commenced recording 'complete' performances of the operas as early as 1917, but IDA did not reach the studio until 1924 and was, in fact, the last recording to be made acoustically.
The main glory of this recording is the presence of the legendary Bertha Lewis as Lady Blanche. At this period, Blanche's song "Come Mighty Must" was still included in performance and it is wonderful to hear Lewis so forceably establish the character in a stately, well paced rendition, ending on a secure, full bodied, resounding bottom G. In fact, it was this note that proved to be the songs downfall in later productions as, with the tragic death of Lewis in 1930, her successor was found not to be able to manage the note, and so the song was cut in performance until 1977 (although amateur companies usually do include the piece).
The recording is available from Sounds On CD (see the 'Sites of Interest' link for details of how to order).
PRINCESS IDA next visited the recording studio in 1932. At this time Malcolm Sargent was the musical director at D'Oyly Carte and it is good to be able to compare his reading of the work at this time against the recording he made 33 years later.
Here in 1932, Sargent conducts a tight, fast paced performance with some truely exciting and wonderful moments. The cast is led by the legendary Sir Henry Lytton who had first appeared in the chorus of the opera at the Savoy during the initial run in 1884. Here as King Gama he displays all the characteristics which maade him such a well loved D'Oyly Carte performer. Lytton is backed by the standard stage cast of the day (with the exception of George Baker (Florian) who never appeared on stage with the company, and the whole recording confirms why, for many who saw the company at this period, this was a D'Oyly Carte 'golden age'.
The recording is available from Sounds On CD (see the 'Sites of Interest' link for details of how to order), also from Pearl GEM0144, and from Conifer on the 'Happy Days' label 75605 52273 2 coupled with the 1930 PATIENCE.
I first became acquainted with this performance in 1967 when I discovered a copy of the first LP from the set in a record shop in Sevenoaks. The set had already been deleted and superceeded by the magnificent but less incisive recording directed by Malcolm Sargent and released in 1965. I later found the second disc in a shop in Tunbridge Wells.
There is no doubt that here is the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company on top form. The recording 
(albeit mono) was undoubtedly the crowning glory of what affectionately came to be known as the "DECCA 1st series" of D'Oyly Carte recordings (1949 - 1954).
The cast is headed by Peter Pratt, a much underrated patter comedian who fell between two great names, Martyn Green and John Reed. Pratt gives a remarkable performance as the irritable and unlikeable King Gama and it is a great pity that many more of his performances were not committed to disc. He can be heard in the 1953 recording of THE SORCERER and the 1957 recordings of MIKADO and PIRATES. It is certainly understandable why the BBC engaged him as the lynchpin of the 1966 recordings of the complete G & S series.
The part of King Hildebrand is played by another post war great, Fisher Morgan, another artiste who tends to have been sidelined by another great, Kenneth Sandford. Hilarion is entrusted to the ever popular Thomas Round and Florian to the charming and ever delightful Jeffrey Skitch. Cyril is played by Leonard Osborn, an ever popular tenor on stage but unfortunately nasal in the recording studio. Here he is less nasal, but in this his last recording with D'Oyly Carte, he does sound tired at times. This, however, does not detract from his overall performance. Donald Adams makes his mark as Arac giving us a glimpse of what was to come.
In general the ladies are no less delightful. This recording eminated from the first post-war revival in London and therefore a "star name" was bought in to play the title role. Muriel Harding would normally have played this role, but here, relegated to the part of Lady Psyche, she gives a memorable, charming and witty performance. As Lady Blanche, Ann Drummond-Grant makes a classic mark despite that fact that the role is shorn of the song "Come Mighty Must" - what she could have done with this must remain a matter for speculation.
Mellissa is said to have been Beryl Dixon's favourite role and it certainly shows here in a wonderful perky and cheeky performance.
On the original LP's the voice of 'star name' Victoria Sladen, was very much disliked. What her performance on stage was like I do not know, although I understand that she was unpopular with the company in general. Miss Sladen was an accomplished opera singer, having performed at Covent Garden amongst other venues. It may be that her voice was just too operatic for G & S. Digitally remastered, the harsh edge seems to have been taken off Miss Sladen's voice and although at times she sounds like a Brunhilde who has wandered into the wrong theatre, her performance is acceptable and does blend a little more comfortably than on LP.
The chorus and orchestra under the batton of the inimitable Isadore Godfrey are quite frankly superb, the orchestra in particular sounding absolutely fabulous, and the performance rattles off at a cracking pace which is totally infectious and sweeps one along with it, and would have earned five stars but for Miss Sladen and the omission of "Come Mighty Must".
The recording has been reissued by Sounds On CD (see the 'Sites of Interest' link for details of how to order). It is also available on the Naxos label (8.110317-18) coupled with a 1931 recording of highlights from THE GONDOLIERS, and there is an issue from AVID (AMSC898) which uses patter songs sung by Nelson Eddy as the filler.
Of course everyone has personal favourites amongst the G & S recorded repertoire and certainly for me PRINCESS IDA is far more immediate, far better paced, in the 1953 recording, (reviewed above) but suffers from an ageing Victoria Sladen in the title role although as stated, digital remastering seems to have taken the edge of the harshness in the voice that was such a problem on L.P.
The 1965 recording presented here, has the advantage of Elizabeth Harwood and also the young Valerie Masterson making her recording debut as Melissa.
John Reed as King Gama is remarkably subdued for him, but then he has little to do and the lack of dialogue deprives him of much of his vehicle. Kenneth Sandford however, turns in a wonderful King Hildebrand.
Hilarion (Philip Potter) and his friends Cyril (David Palmer) and Florian (Geoffrey Skitch) have great fun in Act Two and the second act finale is a highlight.
Ann Hood is memorable as Lady Psyche, whilst Christine Palmer makes her mark in the role of Lady Blanche, most especially in her act two duet with Melissa. Once again however, "Come mighty must" is missing. Donald Adams turns in an amusing performance as Arac, ably supported by Anthony Raffell and George Cook.
Sir Malcolm Sargent's pacing may be more relaxed than one could wish but in general this is a beautiful recording.
The recording is available from DECCA as part of their 25 disc box set, and singly, catalogue number 473 653-2.
This is the first ever recording of PRINCESS IDA to include the complete dialogue and the first modern recording to include Lady Blanche's song "Come mighty must".
Sad to say this is a missed opportunity. Firstly the strong american accent displayed by several of the performers grates badly on the British ear. This is strange as the same company's brilliant recording of UTOPIA LTD does not suffer in this way.
Secondly the overall direction, both musical and stage, is somewhat laid back - there is a lack of excitement in most of the musical numbers and the dialogue (although admittedly written in blank verse) is delivered in an unusually stilted style.
Worst is the totally missed opportunity to give a 'performance' of Lady Blanche's "Come Mighty Must". The only previous recording of this number was by the legendary Bertha Lewis on the first complete D'Oyly Carte recording made way back in the early twenties and proving, despite all the surface noise, just what an impressive number this can be. Sadly Elaine Fox does not have the depth of voice or the full G & S contralto tone to give this number the power it deserves and she is further hindered by the incredibly slow pace at which the piece is taken.
So sad that one of Sullivan's most beautiful scores does not receive the performance it deserves here. This recording is available on the Newport Classic label (NPD 85675/2).