The Mikado -- The 1926 and 1936 Electric D'Oyly Carte
Recordings in a 3-CD Set
(GS16)
Complete Opera by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan recorded
under the direction of Rupert D'Oyly Carte. Originally recorded in 1926 as the
first of the early electric sets, The Mikado was reissued ten years later as the
last of the HMV series of 78 rpm sets. So many aspects of these two recordings
invite comparison that it seems especially appropriate that they be issued
together. Of particular significance are the appearances of Henry Lytton (1926)
and Martyn Green (1936) in contrasting performances as Ko-Ko, The Lord High
Executioner.
According to Marc Shepherd's
description of the 1926 recording the cast is probably the finest ever
assembled in the 20th century. The complete recording has not, however, been
available on CD except for a Pearl transfer on which no noise reduction was
attempted. The present transfer preserves a very high quality recording while
reducing the noise, relative to the Pearl issue, by at least an order of
magnitude (10 dB). The accompanying transfer of the 1936 issue has the fuller
sound and quieter surface that characterizes the other recordings from the late
twenties and early thirties. A
description of the 1936 recording may also be found in Marc Shepherd's
Gilbert and Sullivan Discography. Note: For a link to the G&S Discography that
is not confined to a 78s 2 CD frame, please select "Links" in the contents
frame.
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