Decca LKM 4029/30 (New Zealand)

Decca LK 4069

London LL 783

This recording was the third of four sets issued in 1950, as the Company worked fast to exploit the popularity of the G&S operas and pent-up demand caused by a long period during and after the war when no new recordings were issued.

Jack Point was one of Martyn Green's signature roles, and I think he is the best Point on record. On the other hand, Ann Drummond-Grant is surely the worst Phoebe on record. She never sang this role on stage, and one assumes the reason for her presence here was the influence of her husband, Isidore Godfrey.

The set is musically complete except for two cuts: a chunk of the Act I finale, from "Truly I was to be pitied" up to Phoebe's entrance, and the Act II "Rapture, rapture" duet. Both of these were performance cuts in D'Oyly Carte stage productions of the time.

During the 1950's, Decca issued highlights of this recording (side 1), coupled with highlights of the 1950 Ruddigore (side 2). The items included were as follows:

1. When a maiden loves
2. Is life a boon?
3. I have a song to sing-o
4. Were I thy bride
5. Oh! a private buffoon
6. Strange adventure
7. A man who would woo a fair maid
8. When a wooer goes a-wooing
9. All for the love of a ladye

Pearl GEMS 0134

London A4205

Decca LKA 4029 (Australia)

Sounds on CD VGS 223. (Cover art by Matt Bland.)