Gilbert & Sullivan: The Pirates of Penzance
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Free Music Notes for Gilbert & Sullivan: The Pirates of Penzance
Free Music Review: The "Official" Recording
Hit: 5 Stars
If you're looking for a traditional recording of Pirates, complete with all the dialogue and cues, you can't do any better than this D'Oyly Carte Company recording. "Pirates of Penzance" is one of the best-known and best-loved of all the Gilbert & Sullivan operas. It is about a young man, Frederic, who turns 21 and is out of his indentures to the Pirate band. He meets and falls in love with a young woman named Mabel, and is prepared to atone for his involuntary association with the pestilent scourges by sweeping them from the face of the earth. Unfortunately, he discovers to his consternation that from a singular coincidence, possibly owing to the agency of an ill-natured fairy, he was born in leap year on the 29th of February, and was indentured to the pirates until he reaches his 21st birthday. And going by birthdays, he is only 5 and a quarter. Since Frederic is the slave of duty, he reluctantly rejoins the Pirates. You'll just have to listen to a recording to learn the rest, if you don't know it already :)
As someone who is currently in a production of Pirates, I know first-hand what fun it is. The old D'Oyly Carte Company was the premiere performer of the G&S operas for many years, and this recording is from their prime, with such greats as John Reed, Donald Adams, and Valerie Masterson. The more you listen to or see Pirates, the more you appreciate it. Buy or download this recording and listen to it without your parents, or frequently (if you don't get that, never mind).
Free Music Review: The Best of Many, Many Recordings
Hit: 5 Stars
The cast is first-rate. John Reed is in very good form. Owen Brannigan (replacing the usual George Cook) is for me the greatest Sergeant. Brannigan, also found on many of Benjamin Britten's opera recordings, has the bass voice the role requires (I do not feel it should be sung by baritones) and his dialogue remains the standard. I've always enjoyed Donald Adams and his Pirate is also the standard. Potter, Masterson and Palmer are very good. The ensemble and orchestra conducted by Godfrey create a very exciting, sparkling performance. This is the recording I grew up with and no other has beaten it yet.
All dialogue is included. No updates or major cuts.
Free Music Review: Wonderful Production
Hit: 5 Stars
It is almost imposible to find a flaw in this production. Valerie Masterson is wonderful as Mabel, John Reid is fantastic as the Very Model of a Modern Major General, Donald Adams makes a great pirate king & Owen Branigan's Police Sergeant is Superb.
Well worth buying but it is best if accompanied by the libretto so you can get the most of Gilbert's dialogue.
Free Music Review: Jolly good show!
Hit: 5 Stars
This thoroughly professional recording is a jolly romp through Gilbert and Sullivan's twisted minds. They both studied law and its absurdities provide the plots for their theatrical delights. Just don't blame me if you start singing riddiculous patter songs at the speed of light.Free Music Review: Solid and Traditional
Hit: 4 Stars
Despite its old production date, the music is loud and clear - no static, scratching, distortion, etc. that you can get some from old productions.
This production is a solid, regular performance. Excellent voices, English accents, original (as far as I know) dialogue, etc. No surprises at all.
I haven't heard the other versions that are available; but this one sets the standard.
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