Utopia Limited

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Music CD Cover

Edition: Music CD
Format: Import
CD Release Date: 2003-03-03
Music Label: Decca Import

Free Music Notes for Utopia Limited

Free Music Review: Call This dated?
Hit: 5 Stars

"Utopia" followed "The Gondoliers" at an interval of two years - the long standing friendship of Gilbert and Sullivan had soured in the interval, and their working relationship was far less harmonious than it had been for their earlier work. Most casual references to this operetta in fact lump it in with "The Grand Duke" and write it off as a flop.

In fact it wasn't a flop at all - by the standards of the time it was actually a hit, although it was less profitable than most of the earlier Gilbert and Sullivan works, among other reasons because it it proved very expensive to stage. Ever since, it has been sadly neglected.

One reason might be that it was probably the most topical of all Gilbert's operetta "books". There were two news items that Gilbert had almost certainly had in mind. One was the appearance of a best-selling book called "The English Governess at the Siamese Court" - based on the experiences of Anna Leonowens. This story was to resurface on the musical stage many years later, in "The King and I". The other event was the appearance of Princess Kaiulani - the daughter of the King of Hawaii (which was still independent)- at an exclusive private girls' school in England.

Utopia is an imaginary South Pacific Island that is adopting English customs and institutions. Gilbert pokes fun, not only at the idea of "globalisation" (he doesn't call it that of course, but that is what it is!) but almost every English institution he can think of, including the concept of "limited liability". He even takes a sly swipe at the Royal family; the then Prince of Wales - later Edward VII - was the subject of a good deal of scandal.

It is all very funny, at the least well up to Gilbert's usual standards. Sullivan's music for Utopia is also very fine - again at least as good as most of his other operettas. If you are unfamiliar with the work, but like the other Gilbert and Sullivan operettas you will love this one!

All in all - well worth grabbing - as the only other way of getting this recording is in the very expensive complete set!

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