With UTOPIA, (LIMITED) Gilbert and Sullivan returned to the Savoy Theatre (in partnership) after a gap of almost four years. Following the première of their previous work (THE GONDOLIERS, December 1889) they had become involved in a bitter law suit in which Gilbert had opposed D'Oyly Carte over the expenses incurred in the provision of a new carpet for the foyer of the Savoy Theatre. Sullivan had sided with Carte - something Gilbert would never fully forgive.
UTOPIA is quite a different libretto to those Gilbert wrote the previous year (1892), HASTE TO THE WEDDING with George Grossmith and THE MOUNTEBANKS with Alfred Cellier. UTOPIA is openly satirical of everything British and even takes pop-shots at D'Oyly Carte in the character of Mr Goldbury, the company promoter, and at Sullivan in the character of Arthur Fitzbattleaxe, the tenor who cannot reach his top notes. These factors lead to a rather dark-hued libretto with not much of a storyline. Sullivan, too, with his Grand Opera IVANHOE (1891) and Light Opera HADDON HALL (1892) under his belt, was in a much darker musical mood and this manifests itself with a number of dark musical passages and recitatives.
UTOPIA had to wait until 1963 for a recording of any substantial excerpts and when it did happen it was grudgingly under pressure from the fans of D'Oyly Carte who had been bombarding both the opera company and DECCA for a revival of the opera for some years. With advances in technology the new recording of TRIAL would not adequately fill two LP sides and DECCA decided to solve the problem by recording excerpts from UTOPIA as a filler. Five excerpts were recorded. For many years it was suspected that DECCA recorded more than they used, but recent evidence has revealed that the producers at DECCA recorded just these five numbers declaring the rest of the opera unworthy of recording. Just 12 years later, in the light of the stage production, they would change their minds.
DECCA have never reissued this recording, but now, Sounds on CD have gathered together four excerpt discs of the 60's and 70's and issued them as a two CD set entitled OF PLEASURES THERE ARE MANY. The set contains numbers from TRIAL right through to UTOPIA and also presents D'Oyly Carte singers who are heard on no other recordings. UTOPIA is represented by "O make way for the wise men", Oh maiden rich in Girton law", "A tenor all singers above", "Words of love" and "Eagle High". The singers and orchestra alike are obviously revelling in the opportunity to sing music that they seldom if ever get to perform and the set as a whole is a delight. The CD's can be obtained from Music Hall Masters in the UK and 78s2cd in the States, see the links page.
To hear Ann Hood and Thomas Round perform "Words of love" click on the image above.
The D'Oyly Carte recording of 1975 was the direct result of the first professional revival by the company as part of their centenary season at the Savoy on April 4th in that same year. As a result of that stage production this recording has more of a theatrical feel to it than (for example) the 1968 SORCERER, recorded at a time when that opera was not in the current repertoire. Following the single performance at the Savoy, UTOPIA received a further four performances at the Royal Festival Hall in the summer of the same year. The recording opens up several cuts that were made in stage performance.
Recorded without dialogue (except for a few snatches in Act Two) the recording is brighter than one might have expected and many of the numbers rattle off at a cracking pace. John Reed and John Ayldon are excellent as the two wise men Scaphio and Phantis, with Reed conveying the acid spitefulness of his stage characterisation. Kenneth Sandford turns in a wonderfully genial performance as King Paramount. Pamela Field and Meston Reid make a delightful pair of lovers.
The score contains a number of musical gems, not least the duet for Nekaya and Kalyba, the twin princesses, although the voices of both Julia Goss and Judi Merri are perhaps a little weighty for 18 year old girls. The cabinet council scene is a winner as always.
Orchestra and chorus are well directed by Royston Nash and this latest CD reissue by DECCA seems to have taken the harsh edge of the recorded sound that was present on the original LP issue. The fillers of the IMPERIAL MARCH, Overture to MACBETH, the Suite No: 1 from VICTORIA AND MERRIE ENGLAND and the MARMION overture make an excellent addition to an altogether excellent reissue at mid-price. DECCA 473 662-2.
To hear the Cabinet Council scene click on the image above.
The Ohio Light Opera recording was made during live performances in 2000. This recording makes an extremely strong case for revival of the opera. Ohio Light Opera is, of course, a professional company and there is an excellent standard. Many of their operetta recordings are very fine and UTOPIA is no exception. Unlike PRINCESS IDA this recording is not marred by jarring American accents.
This, too, can truly be considered a 'complete' recording for not only is the complete dialogue present, but even "Ah Gallant Soldier" contains both verses which the D'Oyly Carte recording does not. Every member of the cast makes a valuable contribution to a really sparkling presentation which can only be welcomed.
The recording is on the Newport Classic label NPD85659/2 and is available from Amazon UK.
To hear "Ah Gallant Soldier" from this recording click on the image above.