There were of course a number of productions of the work after World War 2 but they were few and far between.  However, one such production at St Alban's in 1963, was recorded by an amateur tape recorder enthusiast and for some years copies circulated privately until the origin of the tape was virtually forgotten.  In the early 1970's the tape came to the attention of the small, private Rare Recorded Editions record label and the recording was issued on two LP's and credited to an entirely fictitious operatic society.  Many years later the true identity of the society came to light.

Despite the obvious flaws in the recording process (including a number of audible edits), the recording is a delightful souvenir of a live production by a competent amateur society.  The whole is well paced, lively and highly enjoyable and a large audience very obviously enjoys every moment of the performance.  The dialogue is performed complete, but even so is totally acceptable.  From the long score only the "Mother Hubbard" number from the end of Act Two is omitted.

Of the performers, Peter Jenkyns is a delightful Hassan, Robert Ladkin a clear-voiced Yussuf and Veral Shelford a formidable, no nonsense Dancing Sunbeam.

As yet no one has seen fit to reissue this recording on CD - a great pity for although it cannot match the technical quality of the Pearl recording or the utter professionalism of the BBC/CPO recording, this is a rare document to be treasured.  If you find it in a second-hand shop - grab it!  Rare Recorded Editions SRRE 152/3.

The problems that manifest themselves in virtually all of the Prince Consort recordings for Pearl throughout the 1980's and 1990's are sadly all too apparent in this issue of THE ROSE OF PERSIA.  Miscasting is one of the two main issues.  Richard Bourjo has a magnificent Bass-Baritone voice which is a delight to listen to, but when he is cast in the patter-baritone roles it has two effects - firstly it darkens the tone of all numbers in which he is involved - secondly it robs the role of that lightness of touch that is so necessary for these characters.

The second reason is one of pace.  That David Lyle is perfectly capable of drawing a sparkling, well paced performance from these forces is born out by the recording of THE CHIEFTAIN emanating from a stage production in 1986 and recorded by Pearl but not issued.  (This recording was later issued by Sounds-On-CD).  But here, as in the earlier recordings of EMERALD ISLE (1982) and BEAUTY STONE (1984) the pace is slow and lack lustre.

All this is not to say that there are not enjoyable moments, most especially in Act Two where things do seem to gather momentum somewhat.  Scott Cooper as the Sultan, Alan Borthwick as Yussuf, Mary Timmons as Rose and Christine Watson as Dancing Sunbeam all make valuable and enjoyable contributions.  The chorus of the Edinburgh Gilbert and Sullivan Society are excellent as is the playing of the Prince Consort Orchestra.  The digital re-mastering is up to Pearl's usual standard.  For this reissue ROSE is coupled in a three disc set with the EMERALD ISLE by the same forces.  Pearl GEMS 0189.

To mark the centenary of Sullivan's death the BBC commissioned a recording of ROSE OF PERSIA for issue with the BBC Music Magazine May 1999 issue (some 18 months before the event it was due to commemorate).  The recording was made by the Hanover Band with the Southwark Voices and a line up of top British  opera singers all under the baton of Tom Higgins.  Following the St David's production of 1990 the vocal scores created for that production had been loaned to a number of other companies for some half-dozen productions that had followed the high profile St David's revival, and these scores were now used for this recording.  The finance for the recording was raised almost entirely by donations from members of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society, and the result was the first fully professional recording of any of Sullivan's non-Gilbert operas, (apart from COX AND BOX and THE ZOO).

The recording was duly issued as a 2 CD set (BBC MM 81) free with the magazine, the second disc being filled out by the inclusion of 6 overtures (DI BALLO, PINAFORE, PIRATES, MIKADO, YEOMEN and MACBETH).  In the United States a single disc of highlights was issued.

After much wrangling and approaches to several record companies, the recording eventually achieved a commercial issue in 2005 on the CPO label.  This time the set included a complete libretto of the vocal numbers and extensive essays in German, English and French. 

The cast is headed by New D'Oyly Carte patter baritone Richard Suart as Hassan who is utterly suited to the role and brings out all the comic potential.  Sally Harrison is superb as Rose making the most of 'Neath my Lattice' and blending beautifully with Alison Roddy (Heart's Desire) and Marilyn Hill Smith (Scent of Lillies) in their many atmospheric close harmony moments.  Ivan Sharpe is a bright toned Yussuf, Jonathan Veira suitably dark and sinister as the scheming Abdallah and Richard Morrison a charming and noble Sultan.  Marcia Bellamy may be a little lightweight as the formidable Dancing Sunbeam but, nevertheless, she turns in an excellent performance.  The chorus may be placed a little far back at times but overall this is an excellent account of this neglected masterpiece and one that should be snapped up whilst it is still in the catalogue.  cpo 777 074-2.

To hear excerpts from this recording, click on an item below:-

Rose-in-Bloom's "Neath my lattice"