SULLIVAN, A.: Utopia, Limited [Operetta] / King Arthur (N. Davies, Laugharne, W. Morgan, Scottish Opera Chorus and Orchestra, Clark)

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 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.

Tracklist

Disc 1
Sullivan, Arthur
Gilbert, William Schwenck - Lyricist
Tapsfield, Robert - Arranger
Edwards, John Owen - Arranger
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
Drummond, Zoe (soprano)
Scottish Opera Chorus (Choir)
Suart, Richard (baritone)
Bruce, Arthur (baritone)
Davies, Neal (baritone)
Howard, Yvonne (mezzo-soprano)
Laugharne, Ellie (soprano)
Morgan, William (tenor)
Gault, Phil (baritone)
Nathan, Mark (baritone)
Hewitson, Catriona (soprano)
Davies, Sioned Gwen (mezzo-soprano)
Cunningham, Glen (tenor)
1Overture (arr. J.O. Edwards)05:36
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
2Act I: In lazy languor motionless (Phylla, Chorus)02:52
Drummond, Zoe (soprano)
Scottish Opera Chorus (Choir)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
3Act I: O make way for the wise men! (Chorus)03:01
Scottish Opera Chorus (Choir)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
4Act I: Duet: Let all your doubts take wing (Scaphio, Phantis)02:19
Suart, Richard (baritone)
Bruce, Arthur (baritone)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
5Act I: Quaff the nectar … Bold fac'd ranger (Chorus)15:20
Scottish Opera Chorus (Choir)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
6Act I: Trio: First you're born (King, Scaphio, Phantis)02:51
Davies, Neal (baritone)
Suart, Richard (baritone)
Bruce, Arthur (baritone)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
7Act I: Duet: Subjected to your heavenly gaze (King, Lady Sophy)02:37
Davies, Neal (baritone)
Howard, Yvonne (mezzo-soprano)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
8Act I: O maiden, rich in Girton lore (Zara, Captain Fitzbattleaxe, Chorus)03:51
Laugharne, Ellie (soprano)
Morgan, William (tenor)
Scottish Opera Chorus (Choir)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
9Act I: Ah! gallant soldier, brave and true (Zara, Captain Fitzbattleaxe, Chorus)02:26
Laugharne, Ellie (soprano)
Morgan, William (tenor)
Scottish Opera Chorus (Choir)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
10Act I: Quartet: It's understood, I think, all round (Zara, Captain Fitzbattleaxe, Scaphio, Phantis)01:54
Laugharne, Ellie (soprano)
Morgan, William (tenor)
Suart, Richard (baritone)
Bruce, Arthur (baritone)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
11Act I: Duet: O admirable art! (Zara, Captain Fitzbattleaxe)02:46
Laugharne, Ellie (soprano)
Morgan, William (tenor)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
12Act I: Finale: Altho' your royal summons to appear (Chorus)19:52
Scottish Opera Chorus (Choir)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
Disc 2
1Act II: Recitative and Aria: O Zara, my beloved one … A tenor, all singers above (Captain Fitzbattleaxe)04:05
Morgan, William (tenor)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
2Act II: Duet: Words of love too loudly spoken (Zara, Captain Fitzbattleaxe)03:13
Laugharne, Ellie (soprano)
Morgan, William (tenor)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
3Act II: Song: Society has quite forsaken all its wicked courses (King, Chorus of Flowers of Progress)03:53
Davies, Neal (baritone)
Scottish Opera Chorus (Choir)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
4Act II: Entrance of Court01:29
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
5Act II: Drawing Room music02:51
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
6Act II: Recitative: This ceremony our wish displays … Eagle high on cloudland soaring (King, Chorus)04:42
Davies, Neal (baritone)
Scottish Opera Chorus (Choir)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
7Act II: Duet: With fury deep we burn (Scaphio, Phantis)00:49
Suart, Richard (baritone)
Bruce, Arthur (baritone)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
8Act II: Trio: If you think that when banded in unity (King, Scaphio, Phantis)01:36
Davies, Neal (baritone)
Suart, Richard (baritone)
Bruce, Arthur (baritone)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
9Act II: Trio: With wily brain, upon the spot (Tarara, Scaphio, Phantis)03:04
Gault, Phil (baritone)
Suart, Richard (baritone)
Bruce, Arthur (baritone)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
10Act II: Song: A wonderful joy our eyes to bless (Mr Goldbury)04:12
Nathan, Mark (baritone)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
11Act II: Quartet: Then I may sing and play? (Nekaya, Kalyba, Lord Dramaleigh, Mr Goldbury)02:33
Hewitson, Catriona (soprano)
Davies, Sioned Gwen (mezzo-soprano)
Cunningham, Glen (tenor)
Nathan, Mark (baritone)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
12Act II: Recitative and Song: Oh, would some demon power … When but a maid of fifteen year (Lady Sophy)03:23
Howard, Yvonne (mezzo-soprano)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
13Act II: Recitative: Ah, Lady Sophy … Oh rapture unrestrained! (King, Lady Sophy)03:27
Davies, Neal (baritone)
Howard, Yvonne (mezzo-soprano)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
14Act II: Tarantella00:56
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
15Act II: Upon our sea-girt land (Chorus)00:42
Scottish Opera Chorus (Choir)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
16Act II: Finale: There's a little group of isles beyond the wave (Zara, King, Chorus)02:32
Davies, Neal (baritone)
Laugharne, Ellie (soprano)
Scottish Opera Chorus (Choir)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
Sullivan, Arthur
Carr, J. Comyns - Lyricist
Scottish Opera Chorus (Choir)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
17Chorus of Lake Spirits: Dawn and daytime turn to night04:57
Scottish Opera Chorus (Choir)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
18Chorus of Unseen Spirits: Fairest form of all the earth!01:34
Scottish Opera Chorus (Choir)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
19The Chaunt of the Grail: Look not to thy sword04:48
Scottish Opera Chorus (Choir)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
20The May Song: Ere upon its snowy bed02:41
Scottish Opera Chorus (Choir)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)
21Funeral March and Final Chorus: Sleep! oh, sleep!03:52
Scottish Opera Chorus (Choir)
Scottish Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Clark, Derek (Conductor)

Total Playing Time: 02:06:44