Gilbert and Sullivan

[marval]

For all G&S fans especially CT.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJO7tdK5aBI

 

[Contratrombone64]

I am a big G&S fan, Dame Margaret, have been all my life really. It was a good recipe: excellent and witty texts, great music. No other duo really had the same working relationship (of course Oily Cart helped promote).

 

[Corno Dolce]

Aloha CT64,

The working relationship of the brothers George and Ira Gershwin is also known to be one of the most fruitful.

Cheerio,

CD

 

[Contratrombone64]

I disagree, the spark didn't shine as brightly with the Gershwins and this thread isn't about Gershwins.

 

[Corno Dolce]

Well, having participated in many musicals by the Gershwins I'll beg to differ with you. The Gershwins might not have reached the notoriety of G & S. You say tomaytoe - I say tomahtoe - Lets call the whole thing Orff

 

[marval]

Well I think the music was so different, it would be difficult to compare. I like some Gershwin, but I am a big fan of G&S, I think the whole operettas are very entertaining.

I enjoy it when my friend sings with our local G&S Society.


Margaret

 

[Corno Dolce]

Aloha Dame Margaret,

Yes truly, the music and words of the Gershwins is quite different from G & S. Now, to be fair I have also performed some G & S and enjoy their fare. The operettas by Franz Lehar are my great favorites - just oozing with schmaltz

Cheerio,

CD

 

[marval]

Hi CD

Yes Franz Lehar did some wonderful work too.


Margaret

 

[Contratrombone64]

Back to the topic of the thread ... yes Margaret, their operettas really just work, especially the really famous ones (Mikado, Pirates, Pinafore, Patience) and they'll be played the world over for a long time to come.

I'm a bit of a devotee of the final two, however, they suffer from a misunderstanding audience that just didn't want them to develop their style. The music was far more advanced and the lyrics were much more obscure.

I think Sullivan's need to move on and write an opera was necessary, even though it's never staged anymore. Queen Victoria was a main protagonist in that (it' being written).

 

[marval]

Yes I agree CT,

I think some of them, like Pirates, Pinafore and Mikado, are better known because they seem to be performed more. I like Ruddigore, I think it is very clever.


Margaret

 

[Contratrombone64]

I think they survive because there aren't any bad melodies, Mikado has pearl after pearl of wonderful tunes. Ruddigore's great, isn't it? I love the "when the nightwind howls ..." number, just so atmospheric.

 

[Corno Dolce]

Yes, H.M.S. Pinafore and Ruddigore are quite exquisite.

 

[marval]

Oh, "When the nightwind howls" is just perfect. Definately no bad melodies and the lyrics are so amusing. I find them easier than heavy opera.


My husband and I went a couple of times for a meal at Grimsdyke Hall, a very posh hotel. It is where William Gilbert used to live.


http://www.grimsdyke.com/history.htm

 

[Contratrombone64]

Grimsdyke ... that's where Gilbert drowned, did you see the big lake in the grounds? I've not been there, sadly.

 

[marval]

HI CT

No we didn't see the Lake, we just got to go through the main entrance to the restaurant. It was very posh, with an orchestra playing while you eat.

I would have loved to have had a guided tour.


Margaret

 

[Tûrwethiel]

I love G&S too. Pirates is a favourite because it's so damn silly. Years ago I played in the pit (second fiddle) for quite a few amateur/semi-professional productions and loved every minute. Those Act 1 finales were all long, challenging and a lot of fun.

 

[marval]

Yes, Pirates is silly, but beacuse of that is is so funny. I can listen to G&S any time and it cheers me up.


Margaret

 

[Contratrombone64]

Margaret

Have you heard the new recording of Cox n Box? It's sort of urtext ... much more music than the massacred D'Oly Carte one.

David

 

[marval]

Hi David

No I haven't heard that one, it sounds good. I must look out for it.


Margaret

 

[Contratrombone64]

Yeah - quite an eye-opener, from memory it's got Contrabandista on it too. Not such a good work, lacks the brilliance of Mikado, Pirates.