Iskarin Gilbert and Sullivan is charming, beautiful repertoire that requires real singing. It is excellent for tuning the voice, combining fine diction with good tone quality . Valerie Masterson began in opera in Austria, then went to D'Oyly Carte and then to the International Opera career that she really merited. As someone who has performed many French Operas in France i can confirm to you that she was probably the best Marguerite in Faust of her generation.
Iskarin - the recording you bought would have been part of the Malcolm Sargent Gilbert and Sullivan series. There are many wonderful singers on that series of discs- some of them i knew personally because they were at the end of their careers and teaching when i was a student singer. Including John Cameron, April Cantelo and Marjorie Thomas ( who taught one of my teachers- the prize winning Oratorio and Recital Soprano Penelope Price Jones.) Kind and generous performers and teachers!
@Tenortalker It is true. The cast(s) Malcolm Sargent pulled together for his series of G&S operettas is absolutely first-rate! The best G&S on record and some of the best singers, period!
I sometimes wonder whether, to a singer, doing Gilbert and Sullivan is a lark. After D'Oyly Carte folded, Valerie Masterson went into French Opera where she was considered top-chop (to use a Britishism).
Regardless-hearing artists like Elsie Morison in any venue will make some in the audience want to hear & learn more. Lauritz Melchior appearing on comedy/variety shows in early television probably got some interested in opera.
I think that Elsie Morison is a heavenly soprano. She recorded one of the best 'I know that my Redeemer' in Messiah ever. She always sang with a beautiful tone quality. I once took some lessons with the fine scots tenor Duncan Robertson and he mentioned 3 sopranos he had worked with who were 'always beautiful' Elsie Morison, Elizabeth Harwood and Cynthia Glover.
Iskarin Gilbert and Sullivan is charming, beautiful repertoire that requires real singing. It is excellent for tuning the voice, combining fine diction with good tone quality . Valerie Masterson began in opera in Austria, then went to D'Oyly Carte and then to the International Opera career that she really merited. As someone who has performed many French Operas in France i can confirm to you that she was probably the best Marguerite in Faust of her generation.
Tenortalker 9 months ago
Iskarin - the recording you bought would have been part of the Malcolm Sargent Gilbert and Sullivan series. There are many wonderful singers on that series of discs- some of them i knew personally because they were at the end of their careers and teaching when i was a student singer. Including John Cameron, April Cantelo and Marjorie Thomas ( who taught one of my teachers- the prize winning Oratorio and Recital Soprano Penelope Price Jones.) Kind and generous performers and teachers!
Tenortalker 11 months ago
@Tenortalker It is true. The cast(s) Malcolm Sargent pulled together for his series of G&S operettas is absolutely first-rate! The best G&S on record and some of the best singers, period!
kadoguy2006 11 months ago
@Tenortalker
I appreciate the background you've given.
I sometimes wonder whether, to a singer, doing Gilbert and Sullivan is a lark. After D'Oyly Carte folded, Valerie Masterson went into French Opera where she was considered top-chop (to use a Britishism).
Regardless-hearing artists like Elsie Morison in any venue will make some in the audience want to hear & learn more. Lauritz Melchior appearing on comedy/variety shows in early television probably got some interested in opera.
lskarin 9 months ago
Peculiar. I discovered Elsie by buying a Yeoman of the Guard recording in Korea with the US Army. Didn't realize at the time how outstanding she is.
lskarin 1 year ago
I think that Elsie Morison is a heavenly soprano. She recorded one of the best 'I know that my Redeemer' in Messiah ever. She always sang with a beautiful tone quality. I once took some lessons with the fine scots tenor Duncan Robertson and he mentioned 3 sopranos he had worked with who were 'always beautiful' Elsie Morison, Elizabeth Harwood and Cynthia Glover.
Tenortalker 1 year ago