Sally Ann Howes shines with forgotten musical
Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 02/12/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"SUMMER SONG was a modest hit in London in 1956, starring Sally Ann Howes. It was loosely-based around a real-life incident during composer Anton Dvorak's visit to America.
Inspired by the sucess of "Song of Norway" and "Kismet" (which both featured scores lifted from pre-existing classical compositions); the music of SUMMER SONG was adapted from Dvorak themes, newly-orchestrated by Bernard Grun. Thank you, Sepia, for restoring another forgotten London musical to the catalogue!
The show's leading lady, Sally Ann Howes, was fast becoming one of the most popular talents on the London stage, having previously dazzled in productions of "Paint Your Wagon", "Bet Your Life" and "Romance in Candlelight" (all of which are available on other Sepia discs). Her romantic role of Karolka in SUMMER SONG gave her the lion's share of musical numbers, and she delivers them in her creamy, textured contralto/soprano voice beautifully. Partnering her is David Hughes, and their duets are fantastic. Playing the central role of Dvorak himself is the celebrated character actor Laurence Naismith; with the comical secondary romantic couple played by Bonita Primrose and Van Atkins.
Following a preview period at Manchester's Opera House in December of 1955, SUMMER SONG opened at London's Princes Theatre in February 1956, where it received good reviews, but shuttered after 148 performances.
There are indeed some gem-like numbers in this score. Inevitably though, the loveliest go to Miss Howes ("Just Around the Corner", "My Darling Karolka", "I'll Be Remembering", and the Title Song); but the score as a whole is charming. This is a more-than-worthy successor to the classically-adapted scores of "Kismet" and "Song of Norway".
For the long-awaited CD premiere of SUMMER SONG (restored from 78 rpm recordings), Sepia has filled out the remainder of the disc with bonus tracks, including rare cover singles featuring David Hughes and Edric Connor; plus an orchestral medley from SUMMER SONG performed by the Melachrino Orchestra."
Track Listings (25) - Disc #1