Dive into the enchanting world of Victorian-era operetta with Arthur Sullivan's "Gilbert & Sullivan Collection," a comprehensive compilation that captures the essence of the legendary collaboration between librettist W.S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan. Released in 2011 by Decca Music Group Ltd., this expansive collection spans over two hours and sixteen minutes, featuring a rich tapestry of operatic gems that showcase the duo's unparalleled wit and musical genius.
The album kicks off with the lively overture from "The Gondoliers or The King of Barataria," setting the stage for a journey through some of the most beloved works in the operetta canon. From the whimsical "List and learn" to the romantic "O rapture, when alone together," each track is a testament to the enduring appeal of Gilbert and Sullivan's storytelling and Sullivan's melodic prowess. The collection also includes the overture from "The Grand Duke," adding another layer of depth to this already impressive lineup.
Arthur Sullivan's compositions, paired with Gilbert's clever lyrics, create a delightful blend of humor, satire, and romance. Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this collection offers a delightful introduction to the world of Gilbert and Sullivan. The tracks are performed with precision and passion, bringing to life the timeless charm of these classic operettas. With 456 songs in total, this collection is a treasure trove for anyone eager to explore the rich legacy of Arthur Sullivan and W.S. Gilbert.
The Gondoliers or The King of Barataria: OvertureArthur Sullivan, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
1. List and learnArthur Sullivan, Dawn Bradshaw, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
2. Good morrow, pretty maidsArthur Sullivan, Dawn Bradshaw, Daphne Gill, Ceinwen Jones, Joseph Riordan, Michael Wakeham, George Cook, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
3. For the merriest fellows are weArthur Sullivan, Michael Wakeham, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
4. See, see at last they come to make their choiceArthur Sullivan, Dawn Bradshaw, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
5. Buon' giorno, signorine!Arthur Sullivan, Thomas Round, Alan Styler, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
The Gondoliers: We're called gondolieri, but that's a vagaryArthur Sullivan, Thomas Round, Alan Styler, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
7. And now to choose our brides!Arthur Sullivan, Thomas Round, Alan Styler, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
8. Are you peeping?Arthur Sullivan, Dawn Bradshaw, Ceinwen Jones, Joyce Wright, Thomas Round, Alan Styler, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
9. Thank you gallant gondolieriArthur Sullivan, Joyce Wright, Mary Sansom, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
10. From the sunny Spanish shoreArthur Sullivan, Jennifer Toye, Gillian Knight, Jeffrey Skitch, John Reed, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
The Gondoliers: In enterprise of martial kindArthur Sullivan, Jennifer Toye, Gillian Knight, Jeffrey Skitch, John Reed, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
12. O rapture, when alone togetherArthur Sullivan, Jennifer Toye, Jeffrey Skitch, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
13. There was a time, a time for ever goneArthur Sullivan, Jennifer Toye, Jeffrey Skitch, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
14. I stole the PrinceArthur Sullivan, Jennifer Toye, Gillian Knight, Jeffrey Skitch, John Reed, Kenneth Sandford, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
15. But, bless my heart, consider my position!Arthur Sullivan, Jennifer Toye, Jeffrey Skitch, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
16. Try we life-long we can neverArthur Sullivan, Jennifer Toye, Gillian Knight, Jeffrey Skitch, John Reed, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
17. Bride-groom and bride!Arthur Sullivan, Joyce Wright, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
18. When a merry maiden marriesArthur Sullivan, Joyce Wright, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
19. Kind sir, you cannot have the heart, our lives to pArthur Sullivan, Mary Sansom, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
20. Do not give way to this uncalled-for griefArthur Sullivan, Joyce Wright, Mary Sansom, Thomas Round, Alan Styler, Kenneth Sandford, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
Then one of us will be a QueenArthur Sullivan, Mary Sansom, Joyce Wright, Thomas Round, Alan Styler, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
22. Now pray, what us the cause of thisArthur Sullivan, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
23. Replying, we sing as one individualArthur Sullivan, Thomas Round, Alan Styler, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
24. For ev'ryone who feels inclinedArthur Sullivan, Thomas Round, Alan Styler, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
25. Come let's away - our island crown awaits meArthur Sullivan, Joyce Wright, Thomas Round, Alan Styler, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
26. Now, Marco dear, my wishes hearArthur Sullivan, Mary Sansom, Alan Styler, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
27. Then away they go to an island fairArthur Sullivan, Joyce Wright, Mary Sansom, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
28. Of happiness the very pithArthur Sullivan, Thomas Round, Alan Styler, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
29. Rising early in the morningArthur Sullivan, Alan Styler, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
The Gondoliers: Take a pair of sparkling eyesArthur Sullivan, Thomas Round, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
31. Here we are, at the risk of our livesArthur Sullivan, Dawn Bradshaw, Mary Sansom, Joyce Wright, Ceinwen Jones, Thomas Round, Alan Styler, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
32. After sailing to this landArthur Sullivan, Joyce Wright, Mary Sansom, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
33. Dance a cachucha, fandango, boleroArthur Sullivan, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
34. There lived a king, as I've been toldArthur Sullivan, Thomas Round, Alan Styler, Kenneth Sandford, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
35. In a contemplative fashionArthur Sullivan, Joyce Wright, Mary Sansom, Thomas Round, Alan Styler, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
36. With ducal pomp and ducal prideArthur Sullivan, Gillian Knight, John Reed, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
37. This polite attentionArthur Sullivan, Gillian Knight, John Reed, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
38. On the day when I was weddedArthur Sullivan, Gillian Knight, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
39. To help unhappy commonersArthur Sullivan, John Reed, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
40. Small titles and orders for mayors and recordersArthur Sullivan, Gillian Knight, John Reed, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
41. I am a courtier grave and seriousArthur Sullivan, Jennifer Toye, Gillian Knight, Thomas Round, Alan Styler, John Reed, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
42. Here is a case unprecedented!Arthur Sullivan, Jennifer Toye, Mary Sansom, Joyce Wright, Thomas Round, Alan Styler, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
43. Now let the loyal lieges gather roundArthur Sullivan, Joyce Wright, Mary Sansom, Jennifer Toye, Gillian Knight, Thomas Round, Alan Styler, Kenneth Sandford, John Reed, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
44. Speak woman speak, we're all attention!Arthur Sullivan, Jennifer Toye, Joyce Wright, Mary Sansom, Gillian Knight, Jeanette Roach, Thomas Round, Jeffrey Skitch, Alan Styler, John Reed, Kenneth Sandford, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
45. The royal prince was by the king entrustedArthur Sullivan, Jeanette Roach, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
46. Luiz! Casilda!Arthur Sullivan, Jennifer Toye, Mary Sansom, Joyce Wright, Gillian Knight, Thomas Round, Jeffrey Skitch, Alan Styler, John Reed, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
47. One more, gondolieriArthur Sullivan, Joyce Wright, Mary Sansom, Jennifer Toye, Jeanette Roach, Thomas Round, Alan Styler, Kenneth Sandford, Jeffrey Skitch, John Reed, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Isidore Godfrey
The Grand Duke: OvertureArthur Sullivan, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royston Nash
The Grand Duke / Act 1: Won't it be a pretty wedding?Arthur Sullivan, Patricia Leonard, Beti Lloyd-Jones, Glynis Prendergast, Anne Egglestone, The D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royston Nash
Arthur Sullivan, born in London in 1842, was a prolific English composer whose name is synonymous with the golden age of Victorian comic opera. His most enduring legacy is his collaboration with the librettist W. S. Gilbert, with whom he created a series of wildly popular and enduring Savoy Operas, including "H.M.S. Pinafore," "The Pirates of Penzance," and "The Mikado." These works, known for their wit, satire, and memorable tunes, remain staples of the operatic repertoire and have been performed and enjoyed by audiences worldwide. Beyond his operatic collaborations, Sullivan's compositions span a wide range of genres, including symphonies, concertos, choral works, hymns, and songs. His hymns, such as "Onward, Christian Soldiers," have become beloved standards in churches and concert halls alike. Sullivan's musical style, characterized by its lyrical melodies and inventive harmonies, reflects his deep understanding of both classical and popular music traditions. His contributions to music have left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape, and his works continue to captivate and inspire audiences today.