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Sullivan: Utopia, Limited
Sullivan: Utopia, Limited
Neal Davies (King Paramount); Richard Suart (Scaphio); Arthur Bruce (Phantis); Phil Gault (Tarara); Glen Cunningham (Lord Dramaleigh); William Morgan (Captain Fitzbattleaxe); Francis Church (Captain Sir Edward Corcoran); Mr Goldbury (Mark Nathan); Osian Wyn Bowen (Sir Bailey Barre); Ellie Laugharne (Zara); Catriona Hewitson (Nekaya); Yvonne Howard (Lady Sophy)
Gilbert & Sullivan’s penultimate opera, Utopia, Limited, was written immediately after The Gondoliers. Here, with an updated libretto by director Stuart Maunder and a revised musical version by Scottish Opera’s Head of Music Derek Clark, it is given its Scottish Opera premiere and the airing it so deserves.
Satirising the conceits of the mighty British Empire, its politics, monarchy and press, Utopia, Limited is as incisive now as ever it was.
Full of sparkling wit, Utopia, Limited is packed with show-stopping patter, brilliant choruses and music that is, at times, of almost Verdian beauty. A semi-staged concert, performed by the cast of The Gondoliers.
CD
Genre: Opera
Release Date: 27/06/2025
Sound Formats:
Ratio:
Subtitles:
Catalogue Number: OACD9053D
Conductor(s):
Derek Clark
Derek Clark
Artist(s):
Neal Davies; Richard Suart; Arthur Bruce; Phil Gault; Glen Cunningham; William Morgan; Francis Church; Mr Goldbury; Osian Wyn Bowen; Ellie Laugharne; Catriona Hewitson; Yvonne Howard; Derek Clark
Neal Davies; Richard Suart; Arthur Bruce; Phil Gault; Glen Cunningham; William Morgan; Francis Church; Mr Goldbury; Osian Wyn Bowen; Ellie Laugharne; Catriona Hewitson; Yvonne Howard; Derek Clark
"A classy send-up of British values." (The Guardian ★★★★)
"Surprisingly timely ... Clark conducted with a light touch and balance, allowing the lyrical music to flow from the pit." (Bachtrack ★★★★)
"With astute comic timing and vocal power to burn, Neal Davies is an endearing delight as the well-meaning but vulnerable King Paramount, and his chemistry with Yvonne Howard’s glowing Lady Sophy brings genuine depth… the Scottish Opera chorus raise the roof
RECORDING OF THE WEEK " (Presto Music)
"... this new recording founded on Scottish Opera forces under Derek Clark comprises a good account… impressive performances from the likes of G&S specialist Richard Suart, the lyrical Ellie Laugharne" (BBC Music Magazine ★★★)
"Surprisingly timely ... Clark conducted with a light touch and balance, allowing the lyrical music to flow from the pit." (Bachtrack ★★★★)
"With astute comic timing and vocal power to burn, Neal Davies is an endearing delight as the well-meaning but vulnerable King Paramount, and his chemistry with Yvonne Howard’s glowing Lady Sophy brings genuine depth… the Scottish Opera chorus raise the roof
RECORDING OF THE WEEK " (Presto Music)
"... this new recording founded on Scottish Opera forces under Derek Clark comprises a good account… impressive performances from the likes of G&S specialist Richard Suart, the lyrical Ellie Laugharne" (BBC Music Magazine ★★★)
Neal Davies (King Paramount); Richard Suart (Scaphio); Arthur Bruce (Phantis); Phil Gault (Tarara); Glen Cunningham (Lord Dramaleigh); William Morgan (Captain Fitzbattleaxe); Francis Church (Captain Sir Edward Corcoran); Mr Goldbury (Mark Nathan); Osian Wyn Bowen (Sir Bailey Barre); Ellie Laugharne (Zara); Catriona Hewitson (Nekaya); Yvonne Howard (Lady Sophy)
Gilbert & Sullivan’s penultimate opera, Utopia, Limited, was written immediately after The Gondoliers. Here, with an updated libretto by director Stuart Maunder and a revised musical version by Scottish Opera’s Head of Music Derek Clark, it is given its Scottish Opera premiere and the airing it so deserves.
Satirising the conceits of the mighty British Empire, its politics, monarchy and press, Utopia, Limited is as incisive now as ever it was.
Full of sparkling wit, Utopia, Limited is packed with show-stopping patter, brilliant choruses and music that is, at times, of almost Verdian beauty. A semi-staged concert, performed by the cast of The Gondoliers.
CD
Genre: Opera
Release Date: 27/06/2025
Sound Formats:
Ratio:
Subtitles:
Catalogue Number: OACD9053D
Conductor(s):
Derek Clark
Derek Clark
Artist(s):
Neal Davies; Richard Suart; Arthur Bruce; Phil Gault; Glen Cunningham; William Morgan; Francis Church; Mr Goldbury; Osian Wyn Bowen; Ellie Laugharne; Catriona Hewitson; Yvonne Howard; Derek Clark
Neal Davies; Richard Suart; Arthur Bruce; Phil Gault; Glen Cunningham; William Morgan; Francis Church; Mr Goldbury; Osian Wyn Bowen; Ellie Laugharne; Catriona Hewitson; Yvonne Howard; Derek Clark
"A classy send-up of British values." (The Guardian ★★★★)
"Surprisingly timely ... Clark conducted with a light touch and balance, allowing the lyrical music to flow from the pit." (Bachtrack ★★★★)
"With astute comic timing and vocal power to burn, Neal Davies is an endearing delight as the well-meaning but vulnerable King Paramount, and his chemistry with Yvonne Howard’s glowing Lady Sophy brings genuine depth… the Scottish Opera chorus raise the roof
RECORDING OF THE WEEK " (Presto Music)
"... this new recording founded on Scottish Opera forces under Derek Clark comprises a good account… impressive performances from the likes of G&S specialist Richard Suart, the lyrical Ellie Laugharne" (BBC Music Magazine ★★★)
"Surprisingly timely ... Clark conducted with a light touch and balance, allowing the lyrical music to flow from the pit." (Bachtrack ★★★★)
"With astute comic timing and vocal power to burn, Neal Davies is an endearing delight as the well-meaning but vulnerable King Paramount, and his chemistry with Yvonne Howard’s glowing Lady Sophy brings genuine depth… the Scottish Opera chorus raise the roof
RECORDING OF THE WEEK " (Presto Music)
"... this new recording founded on Scottish Opera forces under Derek Clark comprises a good account… impressive performances from the likes of G&S specialist Richard Suart, the lyrical Ellie Laugharne" (BBC Music Magazine ★★★)
