The Reading University Haddon Hall (1992)
John Manners | James Petts |
Sir George Vernon | Ian Henderson |
Oswald | Christopher Skidmore |
Rupert Vernon | Anthony Witt |
The McCrankie | Joff Hamilton |
Sing-Song Simeon | Matthew Ellison |
Kill-Joy Candlemas | Rupert Perkins |
Nicodemus Knock-knee | Christopher Nickless |
Barnabas Bellows-to-Mend | Philip Jacobs |
Fifth Puritan | Huw Owen |
Sixth Puritan | Luke Anderson |
Major Domo | Trevor Bottomley |
Dorothy Vernon | Ann Todd Howarth |
Lady Vernon | Jean Hornbuckle |
Dorcas | Jane Amblar |
Nance | Anthea Byron |
Gertrude | Anne-Marie Catling |
Deborah | Doris Sharp |
Reading University Music Department
Conductor: Nigel Burton
This amateur recording of Haddon Hall was recorded at the Great Hall on the London Road site of Reading University. Unlike the Cheam Operatic Society recording, this includes all the dialogue. However, the performing space was full of echoes and reverberations, making this a less-than-ideal account of the score. The opera's charms do come through, but it takes some work on the listener's part.
Jeff Trim added:
I have often performed in the University Great Hall, where this recording was made. It is hugely resonant and lacks an orchestra pit. This means that all the recordings I have of performances there share the same problems of poor balance and cloudy detail.
The recording issued was compiled from the best takes from the three performances, with the choice of take being supervised by Nigel Burton, conductor, member of music staff at Reading University and president of the Sullivan Society (round about then).
I might add that on the night which I attended, Friday the 8th May 1992, the audience was outnumbered by the cast on stage. A shame, as the amateur cast gave a committed performance worthy of better support.
Date | Label | Format | Number |
---|---|---|---|
1992 | SASS | Cassette | None |