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THE SAVOY OPERAS
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#ExeterGandS
ST DAVID’S PLAYERS
Gilbert and Sullivan Society · Exeter · Devon
Written by W S Gilbert
Composed by Arthur Sullivan
SYNOPSIS
MUSICAL SYNOPSIS
ACT 1
In lazy languor motionless
Phylla & Chorus of GirlsO make way for the Wise Men
ChorusIn every mental lore
Scaphio & PhantisLet all your doubts take wing
Scaphio & PhantisQuaff the nectar
ChorusA King of autocratic power we
King with ChorusAlthough of native maids the cream
Nekaya & KalybaBold-faced ranger
Lady Sophy with ChorusFirst you’re born
King with Scaphio & PhantisSubjected to your heavenly gaze
King & Lady SophyOh, maiden rich in Girton lore
Zara, Fitz., Troopers & ChorusAh! gallant soldier
Zara, Fitz., Troopers & ChorusIt’s understood, I think
Zara, Fitz., Scaphio & PhantisOh, admirable art
Zara & FitzCut song for Zara
Youth is a boon avowed, sung on the first night but now lostAct I Finale:
Although your Royal summons to appear
Ensemble
When Britain sounds the trump of war
Zara, Sir Bailey Barre & Chorus
What these may be
Zara, Dramaleigh, Blushington & Chorus
A company promoter this
Zara, Goldbury & Chorus
I’m Captain Corcoran, K.C.B.
Capt. Corcoran with Chorus
Ye wand’rers from a mighty State
Quartet, Chorus & Soli
Some seven men form an association
Mr. Goldbury with ChorusWell, at first sight it strikes us as dishonest
EnsembleHenceforward of a verity
King Paramount & EnsembleACT 2
Oh, Zara!
A tenor, all singers above
FitzWords of love too loudly spoken
Zara & FitzSociety has quite forsaken
King with Chorus of Six Flowers of ProgressEntrance of Court
Drawing Room Music
This ceremonial
Eagle high in cloudland soaring
King & EnsembleWith fury deep we burn
Scaphio, Phantis, & King ParamountIf you think that when banded in unity
King, Scaphio & PhantisWith wily brain
Scaphio, Phantis, & TararaA wonderful joy our eyes to bless
Mr. GoldburyThen I may sing and play?
Nekaya, Kalyba, Lord Dramaleigh & Mr GoldburyOh, would some demon pow’r
When but a maid of fifteen year
Lady SophyAh, Lady Sophy, then you love me!
King & Lady SophyOh, rapture unrestrained
King & Lady SophyTarantella
Upon our sea-girt land
ChorusFinale Act II: There’s a little group of isles beyond the wave
Zara, King Paramount & EnsembleDRAMATIS PERSONÆ
UTOPIANS
King Paramount the First
King of Utopia (baritone)Phantis, Scaphio
Judges of the Utopian Supreme Court (comic baritones)Tarara
The Public Exploder (comic baritone)Calynx
The Utopian Vice-Chamberlain (speaking)The Princess Zara
eldest daughter of King Paramount (soprano)The Princess Nekaya
(soprano)The Princess Kalyba
(mezzo-soprano), her younger sistersThe Lady Sophy
their English Gouvernante (contralto)Salata
(speaking)Melene
(speaking)Phylla
(soprano), Utopian MaidensIMPORTED FLOWERS OF PROGRESS
Lord Dramaleigh
a British Lord Chamberlain (high baritone)Captain Fitzbattleaxe
First Life Guards (tenor)Captain Sir Edward Corcoran KCB
of the Royal Navy (bass)Mr Goldbury
a Company Promoter, afterwards Comptroller of the Utopian Household (baritone)Sir Bailey Barre, Q.C., MP
(tenor)Mr. Blushington
of the County Council (baritone)TRIVIA
REPORTED PRODUCTIONS
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1901 — Loughton Operatic Society
1904 — Southern Light Opera Company
1906 — Orpheus Club, Glasgow
1907 — Torquay Operatic Society
1908 — Leicester Amateur Operatic Society
1912 — Grimsby and Cleethorpes Amateur Operatic Society
1912 — Hamilton Operatic and Dramatic Club
1913 — Exeter Amateur Operatic Society
1918 — Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society
1919 — Orpheus Club, Glasgow
1920 — Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society
1922 — Bath Operatic and Dramatic Society
1922 — Paisley Musical and Operatic Society
1923 — Kirkcaldy Amateur Operatic Society
1924 — Exeter Amateur Operatic Society
1925 — Cambridge Operatic Society
1925 — Coventry Musical Theatre Society
1925 — Rochdale Amateur Operatic Society
1926 — Canterbury Operatic Society
1926 — St Albans Operatic
1926 — Salisbury Amateur Operatic Society
1926 — Worcester Operatic & Dramatic Society
1926 — Yeovil Amateur Operatic Society
1927 — St Austell Amateur Operatic Society
1927 — Wisbech Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society
1929 — Hamilton Operatic and Dramatic Club
1930 — Barnstaple Amateur Operatic Society
1930 — Whitfield Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society
1931 — Frome Amateur Operatic Society
1931 — Melton Mowbray Amateur Operatic Society
1931 — Winchester Amateur Operatic Society
1933 — Orpheus Club, Glasgow
1934 — Blue Hill Troupe
1934 — Rock Ferry Operatic Society
1935 — Alton Operatic & Dramatic
1935 — Ipswich Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1936 — Savoy Company of Philadelphia
1939 — Gosforth Trinity Musical Society
1942 — Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society
1950 — Ayr Academy
1951 — Torquay Operatic Society — Photographs
1952 — Gosforth Trinity Musical Society
1952 — Winchester Amateur Operatic Society
1953 — Orpheus Club, Glasgow
1953 — Savoy Company of Philadelphia
1955 — Blue Hill Troupe
1956 — American Savoyards, Monmouth, Maine — Professional
1956 — Ayrshire Philharmonic
1956 — St Albans Operatic
1956 — Salisbury Amateur Operatic Society
1957 — American Savoyards, Monmouth, Maine — Professional
1957 — Batley Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1958 — Stirling & Bridge of Allan Operatic Society
1958 — Winchester Amateur Operatic Society
1959 — American Savoyards, Monmouth, Maine — Professional
1959 — Savoy Operatic Society, Birmingham
1960 — Leicester Gilbert & Sullivan Operatic Players
1962 — Farnham Amateur Operatic Society
1962 — Geoids Amateur Operatic Society
1962 — Grosvenor Light Opera Company
1963 — Coventry Savoy Opera Society
1963 — Lyric Theatre of Washington
1966 — Burgess Hill Musical Theatre
1966 — Cockett Amateur Operatic Society
1966 — Reading Operatic Society
1966 — Simsbury Light Opera Company
1967 — Astwood Bank Operatic Society
1967 — Blue Hill Troupe
1967 — Chard Light Operatic Society
1967 — Marton Operatic Society, Blackpool
1967 — Orpheus Club, Glasgow
1968 — Stewartby Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society
1968 — Tynemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1969 — Canterbury Operatic Society
1969 — Cotswold Savoyards
1969 — Gilbert & Sullivan Players, Philadelphia
1972 — Geoids Amateur Operatic Society
1972 — Great Yarmouth Gilbert and Sullivan Society
1972 — Leicester Gilbert & Sullivan Operatic Players
1972 — Northampton Gilbert & Sullivan Group
1972 — Winchester Amateur Operatic Society — Diamond Jubilee Year
1973 — Crosby Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1974 — Benfleet Operatic Society
1974 — Sainsbury Singers
1974 — Troupers Light Opera Company
1975 — D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, London — Professional
1975 — Gilbert & Sullivan Society of South Australia
1975 — St John’s (Sidcup) Amateur Operatic Society
1975 — Savoy Company of Philadelphia
1976 — Cotswold Savoyards
1976 — Leeds Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1976 — Savoyaires, Chicago
1977 — Godalming Operatic Society
1977 — Plymouth Gilbert & Sullivan Fellowship
1977 — Stamford Gilbert & Sullivan Players
1977 — Witham Amateur Operatic Society
1978 — Light Opera of Manhattan — Professional
1978 — Meersbrook Park Church Operatic Society
1978 — PHEOS Musical Players
1978 — Southampton University Light Operatic Society
1979 — Great Witley Operatic Society
1979 — Huddersfield Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1979 — Lamplighters Musical Theatre
1979 — Light Opera of Manhattan — Professional
1979 — Sydney Gilbert and Sullivan Society
1980 — Blue Hill Troupe
1980 — Boston Operatic Society
1980 — Bournemouth Gilbert and Sullivan Operatic Society
1980 — East Norfolk Operatic Society
1980 — Lyric Theatre of San Jose
1980 — Ohio Light Opera — Professional
1981 — Ardensingers
1981 — Benfleet Operatic Society
1981 — Dore Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1981 — Durham Savoyards, North Carolina
1981 — Exeter University Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1982 — Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Tasmania
1982 — Grosvenor Light Opera Company
1982 — Tenbury Amateur Operatic Society
1983 — Brussels Gilbert & Sullivan Society — Concert Production
1983 — Cotswold Savoyards
1983 — Ipswich Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1983 — Ohio Light Opera — Professional
1984 — Cornell Savoyards
1984 — Dunfermline Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1984 — Gosforth Trinity Musical Society
1984 — Light Opera Works, Chicago
1984 — Peterborough Gilbert and Sullivan Players
1984 — Reigate & Redhill Opera Club
1984 — St David’s Players, Exeter
1984 — Torbay Gilbert and Sullivan Society
1984 — Simsbury Light Opera Company
1984 — Worcester Gilbert and Sullivan Society
1985 — Leicester Gilbert & Sullivan Operatic Players
1985 — Ridgewood (New Jersey) Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
1985 — Valley Light Opera (Massachusetts)
1986 — Bath Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1986 — Crosby Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1986 — Harrogate Gilbert & Sullivan Society — Directed by John Reed
1986 — Orpheus Club, Glasgow
1986 — Yeovil Amateur Operatic Society
1987 — Chapel End Savoy Players
1987 — Denmead Operatic Society
1987 — Great Yarmouth Gilbert and Sullivan Society
1987 — Ohio Light Opera — Professional
1987 — Swindon Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1988 — Chesterfield Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1988 — Lyric Theatre of San Jose
1988 — Savoy Company of Philadelphia
1988 — Southeastern Savoyards, Atlanta
1988 — Sudbury Savoyards
1988 — Waterside Musical Society
1989 — Coventry Savoy Opera Society
1989 — Gilbert & Sullivan Society of South Australia
1989 — Halifax Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1989 — New Rosemere Amateur Operatic Society
1989 — Off-Monroe Players, Rochester, NY
1989 — Washington Savoyards — Professional Principals/Orchestra
1990 — Gilbert & Sullivan Players of Nova Scotia
1990 — Marton Operatic Society, Blackpool
1990 — PHEOS Musical Players
1991 — Cotswold Savoyards
1991 — Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society
1991 — Southampton University Light Operatic Society
1992 — Bicester Choral & Operatic Society
1992 — Island Savoyards (Isle of Wight)
1993 — Edinburgh Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1993 — Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, Chicago
1993 — Houghton Players — As ‘Utopia PLC’
1993 — Madison Savoyards
1993 — Ohio Light Opera — Professional
1994 — Astwood Bank Operatic Society
1994 — Bath Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1994 — Blue Hill Troupe
1994 — Bournemouth Gilbert and Sullivan Operatic Society
1994 — Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Maine
1995 — Dore Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1995 — Peterborough Gilbert and Sullivan Players
1995 — Savoyards, Brisbane
1996 — Denmead Operatic Society
1996 — Ipswich Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1996 — Lyric Theatre of San Jose
1996 — St David’s Players, Exeter
1997 — Montreal West Operatic Society
1997 — Rose Hill Musical Society
1998 — Newcastle University Gilbert and Sullivan Society
1998 — Off-Monroe Players, Rochester, NY
1998 — The Vale Musical Society (Tring)
1999 — Bath Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1999 — Hartley Gilbert & Sullivan Society
1999 — Southampton University Light Operatic Society
1999 — Washington Savoyards — Professional Principals/Orchestra
2000 — Cotswold Savoyards — Photographs
2000 — Ohio Light Opera — Professional
2000 — Savoy Company of Philadelphia
2000 — Uplands Arts Gilbert & Sullivan Society
2001 — Birmingham Savoyards
2001 — Derby Gilbert & Sullivan Company
2002 — Opera Lytes, Buffalo
2002 — Ridgewood (New Jersey) Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company
2003 — Penn Singers
2004 — Marton Operatic Society, Blackpool
2005 — Ardensingers
2005 — Off-Monroe Players, Rochester, NY
2005 — The Savoy Singers, Camberley
2006 — Putteridge Bury Gilbert & Sullivan Society
2006 — Sheringham Savoyards
2007 — Dore Gilbert & Sullivan Society
2007 — Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Chester County
2007 — Godalming Operatic Society — Photographs
2007 — Peterborough Gilbert and Sullivan Players
2008 — Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company, Minnesota
2008 — New Rosemere Amateur Operatic Society
2009 — Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society
2009 — Savoyaires, Chicago
2009 — Sudbury Savoyards
2009 — Tynemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Society — Photos and Video Clips
2010 — Bath Gilbert & Sullivan Society
2010 — Batley Gilbert & Sullivan Society
2010 — Edinburgh Gilbert & Sullivan Society
2010 — Sheringham Savoyards
2010 — Southampton Operatic Society
2010 — Wolverton Gilbert & Sullivan Society — Photographs
2011 — Chapel End Savoy Players
2011 — Cotswold Savoyards — Photographs
2011 — Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, Buxton — Professional
2011 — Madison Savoyards
2011 — New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players — Professional
2012 — Blue Hill Troupe — Photographs
2012 — The Centenary Company, Greenwich — Photographs
2012 — New London Opera Group
2012 — Ohio Light Opera — Professional
2012 — Ventura County Gilbert & Sullivan Repertoire Company
2013 — Off-Monroe Players, Rochester, NY
2013 — Pocket Theatre Company
2013 — St Leonard’s Gilbert & Sullivan Group, Penwortham
2013 — Victorian Light Opera Company, Maryland
2014 — Lyric Theatre of San Jose
2014 — Milborne Port Opera
2014 — Pittsburgh Savoyards
2014 — Savoy Opera Company, Melbourne
2022 — West Michigan Savoyards
RESOURCES
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Scan of an original prompt book for Utopia, (Limited) as issued by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
Annotated libretto of Utopia, (Limited)
For the original Chappell edition of the
Utopia, (Limited) vocal
Newly typeset vocal score of Utopia, (Limited)
by Larry Byler available to purchase as a professionally printed and bound copy from LuluRECORDING REVIEWS
Audio or video media is available
for this item (subject to compatibility with your chosen media player software installed)Please be aware that St David’s Players are not responsible for the content or availability of content on external websites
Reviews currently included here have been posted by contributor, Ian Bond, and are his personal views, and these may not represent the views of St David’s Players as a Society.
With Utopia, (Limited) Gilbert and Sullivan returned to the Savoy Theatre (in partnership) after a gap of almost four years. Following the première of their previous work (The Gondoliers, December 1889) they had become involved in a bitter law suit in which Gilbert had opposed D’Oyly Carte over the expenses incurred in the provision of a new carpet for the foyer of the Savoy Theatre. Sullivan had sided with Carte - something Gilbert would never
fully forgive.Utopia is quite a different libretto to those Gilbert wrote the previous year (1892), ‘Haste to the Wedding’ with George Grossmith and The Mountebanks with Alfred Cellier. Utopia is openly satirical of everything British and even takes pop-shots at D’Oyly Carte in the character of Mr Goldbury, the company promoter, and at Sullivan in the character of Arthur Fitzbattleaxe, the tenor who cannot reach his top notes. These factors lead to a rather dark hued libretto with not much of a storyline. Sullivan, too, with his Grand Opera Ivanhoe (1891) and Light Opera Haddon Hall (1892) under his belt, was in a much darker musical mood and this manifests itself with a number of dark musical passages and recitatives.
Utopia had to wait until 1963 for a recording of any substantial excerpts and when it did happen it was grudgingly under pressure from the fans of D’Oyly Carte who had been bombarding both the opera company and DECCA for a revival of the opera for some years. With advances in technology the new recording of Trial would not adequately fill two LP sides and DECCA decided to solve the problem by recording excerpts from Utopia as a filler. Five excerpts were recorded. For many years it was suspected that DECCA recorded more than they used, but recent evidence has revealed that the producers at DECCA recorded just these five numbers declaring the rest of the opera unworthy of recording. Just 12 years later, in the light of the stage production, they would change their minds.
DECCA have never reissued this recording, but now, Sounds on CD have gathered together four excerpt discs of the 60’s and 70’s and issued them as a two CD set entitled ‘Of Pleasures There Are Many’. The set contains numbers from Trial right through to Utopia and also presents D’Oyly Carte singers who are heard on no other recordings. Utopia is represented by ‘O make way for the wise men’, ‘Oh maiden rich in Girton law’, ‘A tenor all singers above’, ‘Words of love’ and ‘Eagle High’. The singers and orchestra alike are obviously revelling in the opportunity to sing music that they seldom if ever get to perform and the set as a whole is a delight.
Ann Hood and Thomas Round perform ‘Words of love’.The CDs can be obtained from Music Hall Masters in the UK and 78s2cd in the USA.
The D’Oyly Carte recording of 1975 was the direct result of the first professional revival by the company as part of their centenary season at the Savoy on April 4th in that same year. As a result of that stage production this recording has more of a theatrical feel to it than (for example) the 1968 Sorcerer, recorded at a time when that opera was not in the current repertoire. Following the single performance at the Savoy, Utopia received a further four performances at the Royal Festival Hall in the summer of the same year. The recording opens up several cuts that were made in stage performance.
Recorded without dialogue (except for a few snatches in Act Two) the recording is brighter than one might have expected and many of the numbers rattle off at a cracking pace. John Reed and John Ayldon are excellent as the two wise men Scaphio and Phantis, with Reed conveying the acid spitefulness of his stage characterisation. Kenneth Sandford turns in a wonderfully genial performance as King Paramount. Pamela Field and Meston Reid make a delightful pair of lovers.
The score contains a number of musical gems, not least the duet for Nekaya and Kalyba, the twin princesses, although the voices of both Julia Goss and Judi Merri are perhaps a little weighty for 18 year old girls. The cabinet council scene is a winner as always.
Orchestra and chorus are well directed by Royston Nash and this latest CD reissue by DECCA seems to have taken the harsh edge of the recorded sound that was present on the original LP issue. The fillers of the Imperial March, Overture to Macbeth, the Suite No: 1 from Victoria and Merrie England and the Marmion overture make an excellent addition to an altogether excellent reissue at mid-price.
The Cabinet Council scene.DECCA 473 662-2.
The Ohio Light Opera recording was made during live performances in 2000. This recording makes an extremely strong case for revival of the opera. Ohio Light Opera is, of course, a professional company and there is an excellent standard. Many of their operetta recordings are very fine and Utopia is no exception. Unlike Princess Ida this recording is not marred by jarring American accents.
This, too, can truly be considered a ‘complete’ recording for not only is the complete dialogue present, but even ‘Ah Gallant Soldier’ contains both verses which the D’Oyly Carte recording does not. Every member of the cast makes a valuable contribution to a really sparkling presentation which can only be welcomed.
‘Ah Gallant Soldier’ from this recording.The recording is on the Newport Classic label NPD85659/2 and is available from Amazon.
