Valerie Masterson in The Mikado (vaimusic.com)

[ediritoma]

Bravissima!!!

[squanto2]

This isn't my favorite type of music, but this is so emotionally evocative. I get kinda choked up when I listen to it. G&S are amazing.

[vocalissimo1]

An ideal performance. She is perfect for this.

[Judill]

So beautiful!

[90lysander]

Looks like the Elsie Morison press corps hit this page about a month ago. :(

I like Morison, but come now, she can never compare to Masterson when it comes to Gilbert & Sullivan!

[Ididnotwanttojoin]

The woman on the left looks uncannily like Joan Cusack! HaHaHa

[Tenortalker]

Here is possibly the finest British lyric soprano of the 20th century- she was adored by her public and will never be forgotten. Elsie Morison also wonderful - check her out

[Tenortalker]

Here is possibly the finest British lyric soprano of the 20th century- she was adored by her public and will never be forgotten. Elsie Morison also wonderful - check her out1

[lskarin]

lskarin here. Although I think Valerie's rendition is wonderful, once in a while you get your dominoes knocked over. Try Elsie Morison on YouTube doing the same song.

(Hey -- We're listening to greats. Just enjoy.

[MrSwifts31]

Val was undountedly one of the best all round singers in the UK in the 20th C.

Her repertiore ranged from Coward and Novello,Kern and Porter to G&S and on to roles as difficult as Massenet.s Manon,and Handel's Cleopatra.

I have her singing Anna in the King and I,opposite Christopher Lee who has an opera trained baritone voice!

[MrSwifts31]

Yes as crock says Peggy Ann Jones,later better known in movies a s(usually) large and loud lady!

[amarcordeon]

Awesome! Amazing voice

[crockyoshighty]

The woman on the extreme left at 2:52 looks so very familiar, yet I can't for the life of me think who she is. Perhaps if you know, you'd be so very kind and enlighten me with her idenity. Thank you in advance and of course, a Happy New year to all. :o)o:

[teddyleevin91]

@crockyoshighty Peggy Ann Jones.

[truluvpassions]

I'm guessing that it's just the recording, but some consonants at the end of phrases disappeared. I've understudied and performed both Yum Yum & Peep-Bo, and while many things about this version are quite lovely, Peep just isn't snarky enough for my taste. So much of what makes Peep's character so brilliant and awesome is the clever delivery of the lines and how shrewd they come out.

[ronneesam]

@truluvpassions This song is sung by errm Yum Yum. What has your remark about Peep Bo to do withy anything? And would you please define snarky for those of us who aren't chavs. BTW understudying Yum Yum and Peep Bo might be like waiting for geese to trample you to death. Maybe your supercilious attitude consigned you to be just another understudy. Let's us know of your stage triumphs - if any.

[Brucevyn]

I have to say folks that, after all these years, she still sings it just as beautifully and doesn't transpose it down as many sopranos do when they get into the "Autumn of theire lives".

[secretsquirrellurve]

Effortless. Truely amazing. :O)

[BLCalifornia]

>

> God, this is beautiful.

> How I mourn our lost civilization

>

[mcdg60]

Beautiful. I'm going to purchase the DVD because of this lovely voice.

[arickett68]

Valerie was just a couple of years ahead of me at grammar school and always sang the lead soprano in our yearly Gilbert & Sullivan operas - had a beautiful voice even then!!

[realpainter]

Unfortunately The Met's currant standard for exquisite is not what it should be.

[justasondheimbaby]

I wish all opera singers had fabulous English diction like this...sigh.

[gameboy133]

never ever tire of hearing valeries wonderful voice if you like this listen to the chandos recording of la traviata she is fantastic

[goback3spaces]

Lovely

[AshleyTAdamsOnline]

Does anyone know where to find the video recording of Masterson singing Mabel in Pirates? I would love love love to own it!

[mozartiana]

so where is the rest of this masterpiece//

[hebdag44]

Perhaps it is the quality of the recording but The diction is sometimes poor on this version.

[lskarin]

When the 1966 movie came out, the sound was criticized as being muddy. (Check out the New York Times review. It might have something to do with the fact it was a television production released on film.

[leoseries]

@lskarin Yes "muddy" is an apt description. I thought it was my sound system until I read the above comments.. A pity, as VM is has an excellent voice.

[Kinemacolour]

You can hear the original recording from Decca/London and judge better.

[lskarin]

Happy to give helpful information. 

Today is February 19, 2010. Sorry to report John Reed's (Ko-Ko) death six days ago at age 94 in Yorkshire.

[BB1951]

My god, what a talent! This is the gold standard all others must strive to achieve, I think.

[beatlesopera]

I would like to see more of that wonderful Pitti Sing, Peggy Ann Jones. I was born too late to see her on stage in Doyly Carte is it possible for you to download it for me

[racingrubberbiker]

I remember Valerie very well from London Coliseum productions in the 1970' when she was a leading lyric soprano in Engish National Opera. I will never forget her with Janet Baker in Handel's"Giulio Cesare". Ah, the memories!!!!

[SongOfEire]

She sounds like an angel, but she looks like a sexy extra from the original Star Trek series....what a hairdo!

[pinkygurl1000]

@SongOfEire hahaha so funny and true lol :P:P

[dks880]

O my god what a voice. Most artists today have to be beautiful and sing bad.

[Shuna1001]

the hair was 1920's style by Charles Rickets. Not 60's at all

[ggmorvaj]

1920's ???? I guess I'm not a hairstyle expert......actually,now that you mention it, when I try to visualize it without the long "tail" in back, it does resemble flapper hair...short hair, curled towards the face +the thick short bangs!!!!!

(But it still makes me cringe....) Love the costumes, otherwise!

[ggmorvaj]

I totally love the set & costumes in this production.Simple elegant & beautiful. And the set works SO well with the costumes.The amazing thing is, that even though it's obviously a 60s production,the set & costumes don't look dated at all.Except the hair of course, yuck! All of this stuff could be re-used today & no one would guess how old it is.....Although a designer in 2009 might choose a more orangey shade of pink.

The designer was a genius!!!! Awesome video. Thanks for sharing this!!!!!

[Shuna1001]

Let me have you contact details Mikado Obsessed and you can have the video with my compliments.

[vickilaw]

My Dad always had a crush on Valerie Masterson - we would watch all these G & S operettas on PBS in the 70's! :-)

[mikerubb]

Yes I had a crush as well..

[Shuna1001]

I have the video should anyone want it.

[MikadoObsessed]

i do i do i do

[BLCalifornia]

> Where did this wonderful video go?

[t6adams]

that's weird ive to sing this too in April...it's a good thing that it's not the same competition

[WildCherry450]

I have to sing this in april.

[LerouxFan]

Beautiful. I love this operetta.

[richmondie]

The girls' "Japanese" hairstyles are so 60s! (Lovely singing.)

[MarkAtherton]

Thats my aunty, I feel so proud watching this.

[mezzosop1]

Your auntie was one of the most underated singers of her day. Her clarity of diction and vocal ease are delightful and many a singer would do well to clap their ears on her production of tone! I heard her many times with DC in Liverpool as a child and she inspired me to become a singer too. Professionally I worked with Tom Lawler at Kent Opera years later, also a DC player. I hope she gives masterclasses- I will send my students to hear her wisdom! Janet Shell

[PecsMstr]

You are so right - she is sublime. I saw her in Chicago in Traviata. Perfect diction - floating voice. You should listen to her Marten aller Arten here on YouTube - also amazing!

[komodiakarma]

She lights up well!!!

[cuddlyable3]

I can't hear young Valerie sing this beautiful aria often enough. I can live without the dialogue that follows it.

[OsburgaTO]

Very best and masterful in every possible way!

[bearcub410]

perfection

[nessie96]

John Reed was hilarious in this production.

[kahlotears]

this is, in my opinion, the best documented mikado performance. ever! it's by the d'oyly cast opera companay. it's out on dvd now, by British Home Entertainment.

[KatherineXIX]

This version was a mixed bag. Some of the acting was a little wooden. I loved Masterson, Potter, Jones, Thomas Lawlor, and the Ko-Ko in this version. There was nothing wrong with the others, but I'd just seen better versions of the characters. Paulene Wales was pretty good, but not bitchy enough!

[chrishanson70]

Would this be the 1966 video production?

[lskarin]

Apperently after the D'Oyly Carte demise Valerie had a great career in French Opera.

I remember fondly the D'Oyly Carte cast -- Donald Adams, Phillip Potter, Kenneth Sandford and John Reed. And the unfortunately shortlived Alan Styler.

[swiftsboy]

Really being with the D@Oyly Caret was only the start of Val's career.She moved on to the (now) English National Opera,and Covent Garden,and the Paris Opera.

She was one of the best Lyric/Coloratura sopranos of the 20th Century.

She never forgot her love of G&S though,and made several recital recordings.

Even towards the end of her singing career she went back to "popular" music in a complete recording (and one of the best) of "The King & I" with Christopher Lee

[lskarin]

I agree on the King and I. I am fortunate enough to have that CD. Lee and Masterson outclass Brynner and Lawrence.

[smalltallchild]

is valerie masterson really singing or is it someone else

[EmilyGreene1984]

Indeed, she is.

[swiftsboy]

Yep, Dear Val is singing,but obviously miming to a pre recorded soundtrack;and I don't think Val's Lip Synching is too good.This might account for you thinking she wasn't singing.

[mikerubb]

This was made 40 years ago. The whole cast was perfection. I will never see this high quality again.. in my life-time. D'Oyle Carte at is finest. Not like those who masqueraded as Doyle Carte.. in recent times

[musicchick345]

I was Pitti Sing!!!

[BlackBacon44]

Peggy Ann Jones? The best!

[Glenmed]

Exquisite voice, musicality, diction, beauty, elegance. Just exquisite. Just as it should be. Brava Valerie!

[ronneesam]

@Glenmed This stands alongside the greatest soprano arias ever written. George Tzloti knew how to pick 'em.

[asbochamp]

Ah! So that's what "exquisite" means...

Now I know.

[hillevifan]

Could you please post "three little maids"?

[sschimel]

I had the pleasure of singing Pooh-bah twice in my career. It's one of the most amazing pieces of writing. There's not a dull note or scene (if played well). I saw Valerie Masterson in a completely different role at Lyric Opera of Chicago in the early 80s - Antonia in Tales of Hoffman and she was wonderful.

[hillevifan]

I love Pauline Wales!!

[globalmuse]

I'm a recent G and S convert, and this has become one of my most favorite and touching things I've heard from them thus far. I own this DVD now -- beautiful. Thanks for posting!

[colibri1953]

She was a perfect Yum-Yum in all respects - interpretation, voice - live and in this film version.

[erzbet07]

Saw this when it came out in the cinema and thought VALERIE MASTERSON was perfection itself. Such a lovely voice and tender interpretation. Thank you for making it available to YOU TUBE. G & S FOREVER!!!

[kasiepie]

i love this song

[KatherineXIX]

Most of the clips of this song are similar and sort of boring, but Masterson really makes it something special and beautiful. Our Yum-Yum in my college production does something special with it, too.

[MDADuncan]

This is really very touching

[theguy3000]

Yes! DO you have anymore? I'd really appreciate it if you uploaded "Three Little Maids" and "So Please You Sir." I absolutely adore Masterson!

[astridthomp]

Wonderful!!! Do you have any more? Do you have any of Thomas Round?

[donizettirules]

whoever you are, whatever you are out there...posting valerie masterson clips... i just want you to know how much i love you- *sniffle**sniffle*

[TauntonSavoyard]

When the clip runs on you actually get to see the delightful Peggy Ann Jones as probably one of the best post-war Pitti-Sing

[TauntonSavoyard]

What a pity that there is not a lot more of Valerie Masterson in Gilbert and Sullivan. Her career with D'Oyly Carte was so distinguished and she was undoubtedly one of the most charming and accomplished sopranos ever to grace the company. Her PRINCESS IDA in particular was exceptional.

[alankwood]

Where is the rest of the Mikado performed by the Doyly Carte opera company PLEASE?

[searchingforthree]

This song is so beautiful. It sound like

"Ah, Leave me not to pine no lone as death so late"

from The Pirates of Penzance.

[martel732]

Never thought about it, but I can see that. Actually Sullivan was accused of plagiarizing the melody from Wagner's "Song of the Bird" in one of those ring operas. But, since nobody actually listens to those silly things, I doubt if that was true. lol.

[duettists]

I remember seeing Valerie Masterson in this role in the sixties. Happy memories.

[bejun]

thanks, I've been looking for this performance for a long time. from my point of view, valerie is the most charming soprano I've ever heard. have you got any others videos?

[linhcba]

Valerie Masterson was the best Yum Yum. I've mostly heard her sing in English, and would have enjoyed hearing her sing in more French/Italian/German operas.