Usually, when I listen to operas, or far more often, operettas, I prefer recordings from the 1950's and earlier. This is because I prefer the older singing styles and techniques. The modern ones tend to give me a headache and don't sound right in any case. But if I find a later recording of an older singer, or an extraordinarily rare modern recording of a singer who follows the old style (some do exist), I will listen to it. The Knowle Operatic Society (under that name, as they changed later and now do a lot of modern rubbish), is an exception to that rule. They can't exactly compare to the old singers, but they definitely respect the plays they perform and do their best. They even did King's Rhapsody, for which I am eternally grateful. As any fan of Ivor Novello knows, finding his plays with full dialogue is almost impossible. Anyway, they also did this one, Merrie England, by Edward German. I haven't seen this yet, but this man is supposed to be so similar to Gilbert and Sullivan that Arthur Sullivan himself said he should be his successor, and indeed, after Sullivan's death, German finished his Emerald Aisle, which I also must see.
youtube.com/watch?v=ac7Cy8E_o0…
So now, I will watch this one. Please, if anyone knows where I can find full recordings (or old recordings of songs) from English or Viennese (translated into English if full) operettas let me know. I am always seeking more. And if you are a singer of the old style, thank you so much for sharing your lovely work with the world!
Here we go!
Merrie England-Knowle Operatic Society-1981
youtube.com/watch?v=sly5elfzDH…
There are many good recordings of songs from about 1918 through the 1950's on Youtube. But just for sheer enjoyment, here are the disks with Edward German as conductor!
Merrie England (Edward German), 11 Shellac Record Version from 1918 4
youtube.com/watch?v=JbHzbvBxt_…
And here is one that I simply had to include, because I love this man's voice. I must find more by him. I didn't know of him before now. I adore light tenors!
John Harrison (Edward German conducts) - The English rose (merry england) (hmv d27) (02798) (1918)
youtube.com/watch?v=nffI72wYnm…
#EdwardGerman #GilbertAndSullivan #operetta #operettas #KnowleOperaticSociety #MerrieEngland #theater #theatre
Georgiana Brummell
in reply to Georgiana Brummell • •I read that some of the original Savoyards actually performed in Merrie England. As I was watching this version, one of the songs caught my attention, and I knew I heard it, and I could have sworn it was by one of them! So I opened my Savoyards folder, and sure enough, it was there! By the way, several other recordings of Passmore exist on Youtube.
＂The Fish Song＂ from ＂Merrie England＂ Walter Passmore Col Rena 371 Rec 1912
youtube.com/watch?v=4IwNR02hC-…
Georgiana Brummell
in reply to Georgiana Brummell • •I started on my operetta journey with Gilbert and Sullivan. Then, I watched The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar. From there, I returned to exploreing and collecting the music and plays of Ivor Novello. Along the way, I watched The Arcadians (the only full Edwardian musical comedy I could find), some Offenbach, and then the songs of Strauss (different members of the family), then back to Lehar, when I learned about Richard Tauber, and began very slowly, to collect opera from very old singers. All of this in the space of less than a year. Now, I'm back to the sort of thing that started it all! But whether it's the recording quality which switches from bad to decent, or the fact that I'm now more accustomed to the Viennese and Novellian styles, I didn't really like this as much as I thought I would. This is quite strange, especially given the topic of English patriotism, which I normally love! But I would take it any day over juke box musicals and who knows what else is out there today. I will say, the whole bit about the draggon and four legs made me laugh aloud several times!
The
... show moreI started on my operetta journey with Gilbert and Sullivan. Then, I watched The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar. From there, I returned to exploreing and collecting the music and plays of Ivor Novello. Along the way, I watched The Arcadians (the only full Edwardian musical comedy I could find), some Offenbach, and then the songs of Strauss (different members of the family), then back to Lehar, when I learned about Richard Tauber, and began very slowly, to collect opera from very old singers. All of this in the space of less than a year. Now, I'm back to the sort of thing that started it all! But whether it's the recording quality which switches from bad to decent, or the fact that I'm now more accustomed to the Viennese and Novellian styles, I didn't really like this as much as I thought I would. This is quite strange, especially given the topic of English patriotism, which I normally love! But I would take it any day over juke box musicals and who knows what else is out there today. I will say, the whole bit about the draggon and four legs made me laugh aloud several times!
The actors who played Raleigh, and essex sounded like true professionals and amazed me, but the rest didn't. This is the difference between singers from German's and Novello's time and later. The older ones knew how to project their voices without microphones. These try very hard, but they are often drowned out by the music or simply don't speak loud enough. I have a recording of Mary Ellis made when she was very old, similar to this, from someone across the room. Believe me, you could hear her!! That said, d'Oyly Cart wasspecifically known for mostly hiring amateurs throughout their existence, so this is fitting.