The 1931 Columbia Merrie England (Abridged)
Cast
Queen Elizabeth Edith Furmedge
The Earl of Essex George Baker
Sir Walter Raleigh Dan Jones
Long Tom George Baker
Big Ben Dan Jones
Walter Wilkins Robert Carr [uncredited]
Bessie Throckmorton Alice Lilley
Jill-all-alone Nellie Walker
The May Queen Nellie Walker
Kate Alice Lilley
Conductor: Clarence Reybould
Under the Supervision of the Composer
In his memoirs Joe Batten's Book: The Story of Sound Recording [Rockliff; London : 1956], Batten wrote that the success of the Columbia Records sets of abridged G&S recordings, released in early 1931, led to the company issuing one of Merrie England later that same year. Batten tried to persuade Sir Edward German to conduct his opera, but age and failing sight prevented this, and it was directed by Clarence Raybould under German's supervision. The recordings featured the same Columbia staff singers who had taken part in the earlier G&S sets.
The Gramophone, in its issue for June 1931, [(Vol. IX); pg. 20], praised the recordings highly in a brief review which noted that "This tuneful music to Basil Hood's clever lyrics has inspired the singers...to a crescendo of achievement...."
The album can be listened to by copying and pasting this address: http://www.archive.org/details/EdwardGermanMerrieEngland
Issue History
1931 Columbia 78rpm DB478/83 Six 10" double-sided discs
1999 Sounds on CD CD VMC 201 Also includes 1918 HMV Recording
Recording Details
1 WA-11366-3 Opening Chorus/The May Queen Comes (The Company)
Oh, Where The Dear Do Lie (Nellie Walker and Company)
18 Mar 31
2 WA-11367-2 Love Is Meant To Make Us Glad (George Baker, Robert Carr, Dan Jones, Alice Lilley, Nellie Walker)
She Had A Letter From Her Love (Alice Lilley)
19 Mar 31
3 WA-11368-2 The Yeomen Of England (George Baker and Company) 18 Mar 31
4 WA-11369-2 Long live Elizabeth (The Company)
Oh Peaceful England (Edith Furmedge and Company)
18 Mar 31
5 WA-11370-2 Finale, Act 1-: What Say You, Girl? They Say You Are A Witch! (George Baker, Edith Furmedge, Dan Jones, Nellie Walker & Company)
18 Mar 31
6 WA-11371-2 Finale, Act 1(Part 2): Though I Am Affrighted And Sore Afraid (George Baker, Edith Furmedge, Dan Jones, Alice Lilley & Company) 18 Mar 31
7 WA-11372-2 Opening Chorus, Act 2/The Queen Of May (The Company)
In England, Merrie England (George Baker, Dan Jones, Alice Lilley, Nellie Walker)
18 Mar 31
8 WA-11373-2 It Is The Merry Month Of May (Dan Jones, Nellie Walker) 19 Mar 31
9 WA-11374-1 The English Rose (Dan Jones) 19 Mar 31
10 WA-11375-2 Who Shall Say That love Is Cruel? (Waltz Song) (Alice Lilley) 19 Mar 31
11 WA-11376-2 When Cupid First This Old World Trod (George Baker Dan Jones, Alice Lilley, Nellie Walker) 19 Mar 31
12 WA-11377-2 Finale : Robin Hood's Wedding (George Baker, Dan Jones, Alice Lilley, Nellie Walker) 18 Mar 31
Recording Sessions
Session One: London, March 18, 1931
1 WA-11366-3 Opening Chorus/The May Queen Comes (The Company)
Oh, Where The Dear Do Lie (Nellie Walker and Company)
3 WA-11368-2 The Yeomen Of England (George Baker and Company)
4 WA-11369-2 Long live Elizabeth (The Company)
Oh Peaceful England (Edith Furmedge and Company)
5 WA-11370-2 Finale, Act 1-: What Say You, Girl? They Say You Are A Witch! (George Baker, Edith Furmedge, Dan Jones, Nellie Walker & Company)
6 WA-11371-2 Finale, Act 1(Part 2): Though I Am Affrighted And Sore Afraid (George Baker, Edith Furmedge, Dan Jones, Alice Lilley & Company)
7 WA-11372-2 Opening Chorus, Act 2/The Queen Of May (The Company)
In England, Merrie England (George Baker, Dan Jones, Alice Lilley, Nellie Walker)
12 WA-11377-2 Finale : Robin Hood's Wedding (George Baker, Dan Jones, Alice Lilley, Nellie Walker)
Session Two: London, March 19, 1931
2 WA-11367-2 Love Is Meant To Make Us Glad (George Baker, Robert Carr, Dan Jones, Alice Lilley, Nellie Walker)
She Had A Letter From Her Love (Alice Lilley)
8 WA-11373-2 It Is The Merry Month Of May (Dan Jones, Nellie Walker)
9 WA-11374-1 The English Rose (Dan Jones)
10 WA-11375-2 Who Shall Say That love Is Cruel? (Waltz Song) (Alice Lilley)
11 WA-11376-2 When Cupid First This Old World Trod (George Baker Dan Jones, Alice Lilley, Nellie Walker)
