The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Victoria's The Emerald Isle
Cast
The Lord Leuitenant ……………………………….…........Allan Brown
Dr Fiddle DD …………………………………………..William Bromheld
Terence O'Brian ……………………………………………Julian Wilson
Professor Bunn …………………………………………….Ron Pidcock
Pat Murphy …………………………………………………Martin Wright
Black Dan …………………………………………………...Torquil Syme
Sergent Pincher ………………………………………Bernhard Boulton
Countess of Newtown ……………………………………….Jenny Coll
Lady Rosie Pippin ……………………………………...Rachel Buckley
Molly O'Grady …………………………………………...Janelle Christie
Susan ……………………………………………………...Nicole Wallace
Kathleen ………………………………………………….Kathleen Hislop
Mickie O'Hara …………………………………………....Andrew Phillips
Sentry ………………………………………………………..Peter Angwin
Nora …………………………………………………………...Claire Smith
2001 Centenary production
(Recorded "live" in performance with complete dialogue)
Alexander Theatre at the Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia - November, 2001
Stage Director: Richard Burman
Musical Director: Michelle Stanic
For the centenary of the opera, the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Victoria (Australia) produced a complete performance of the opera and this recording is a live take of one of the performances given in November 2001. This recording may be purchased from the Society at http://www.gilbertandsullivan.org.au/shows/emeraldisle/emerald2001.htm
They also have a recording of Merrie England, done in similar fashion.
I found this recording to be streets ahead of the Prince Consort recording. All the dialogue is included, and some additional verses were included in a couple of songs ("Imitation" has an entirely new verse, and the fourth verse that does not appear in the vocal score, for example.) The dialogue is well read; not a cue is missed or a line forgotten. Rachel Buckley's voice is one I'd like to have in my head all day. If you're not accustomed to the accents, they are a bit jarring at first, but after a while, you start to adjust to it.
Although some of the principals forget the words or the order of the verses, all of the roles are well performed and the chorus contribution is excellent. The orchestra hardly ever sets a wrong foot the whole show.
The recording is worth owning, and it even includes a beautiful reprise of "Come away, sighs the fairy voice" with only the orchestra at the end of the second disc, even if rather out of tune.
The G&S Society of Victoria has also recently undergone a name change to Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Victoria.
Issue History
JeeveS Audio Services. Issued 2001, 2-cd set with track listing only
