Search - Gilbert & Sullivan, Sargent, Pro Arte Orchestra :: Yeoman of the Guard

A Yeomen recording that captures its sheer gravity

Yi-Peng | Singapore | 11/22/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In contrast to the previous reviewer, I am not generally a fan of this series of G&S stereo recordings. However, very much to everyone's surprise, I found that I rather liked this version of Yoeomen as just about the one recording that best suited the serious nature of this operetta. Sargent's latter-day Furtwanglerian conducting of G&S might have been ill-suited to their gayer operettas, but fits in with the demands of the work here. Although this recording was his third entry in his EMI Glyndebourne cycle, the performers are slowly easing themselves into this cycle and sound at their best, ably characterising each part. The EMI recording may be dated, but the Abbey Road ambience is still superb, and captures every nuance of the orchestral playing admirably.



Every Yeomen depends on a superbly tragicomic Point, and here Sir Geraint Evans fits the bill. Although he didn't like to be associated with singing G&S operettas, he turns in a superb characterisation of this tragicomic G&S lead. Yes his voice may be a little heavy but he manages the demands of the music, in his solos and especially when blending together with Elsie Morrison's Elsie Maynard in I Have a Song to Sing O. Elsie Morrison ably captures the dramatic tour-de-fource in her portrayal of Elsie Maynard, and she is well-partnered by Richard Lewis in a bemused portrayal of Colonel Fairfax. Lewis sounds dashing as Fairfax yet he also conveys a sense of bemusement at his predicament and captures the gravitas of this role. Of the other principals, Marjorie Thomas makes a petite Phoebe and Monica Sinclair in firm, commanding voice as Dame Carrathers.



If I had any quibbles, it would be that Owen Brannigan lacks the sinister qualities to portray Wilfred Shadbolt, as he tends to sing the notes without feeling the part. John Cameron's Sergeant Merryll is light-voiced but yet he turns in a characterful performance. Elsewhere, Sargent's superb conducting makes up for it, even though some of the more humorous sections could have been given some oomph, and the Chorus acquits itself ably. Yes I admit that some might prefer the conducting on Sargent's later Decca recording with the D'Oyly Carte, but this is still a solid-sounding Yeomen with the atmosphere and gravity that this operetta needs.



In short, for all its minor hiccups, this is a fine recording of Yeomen that perhaps could be one of two versions for required listening (the other being the Decca D'Oyly Carte set). I admit I would have liked this Sargent set to have included Trial by Jury (and allow his EMI Pinafore to fit on one CD), but this is still needed listening for anyone who would like to know this work."