Sounds on CD VGS216 Cover art by Matt Bland

In 1917, HMV began a series of G&S recordings "under the direction of Rupert D'Oyly Carte," but maintained its long-standing policy of using its own stable of recording artists rather than D'Oyly Carte singers. Over time, this policy came to be seen as outmoded, particularly given the rival Columbia Company's policy of issuing records "of theatrical musical productions by the artists whose names are associated with the theatres themselves." Bowing to the pressure, HMV ordered test pressings of four D'Oyly Carte singers: Henry Lytton, Leo Sheffield, Derek Oldham and Bertha Lewis. Incredibly, HMV management concluded that only Oldham "would be of any use in forming the [recorded] cast of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas."

Since Oldham had passed the test, he got to record Fairfax in this recording of Yeomen, while the others would wait a few years more for their gramophone debuts. This was particularly shameful in Lytton's case. He is widely considered one of the greatest comedians the Company ever employed, and yet he only got to record four of his roles. (Sheffield would eventually record seven of his, and Lewis nearly all of hers.)

Aside from the presence of Oldham, the cast is the familiar bunch who recorded the 1917 Mikado and the 1919 Gondoliers. As with the two earlier recordings, there is significant confusion in the role assignments, with the doubly-cast roles breaking down as follows:

Sgt. Meryll:

Baker sings the Act I finale; Dawson sings the rest of the role.

Lt. Cholmondely:

Radford sings "How say you, maiden"; Halland sings the Act I finale and all of Act II. (The discs actually credit Radford in the Act I finale. It seems likely that Halland sang "Astounding news...," or else Radford would have been answering himself as Wilfred, with the line "My lord, I did not set him free." This possibility cannot be completely discounted, but I am assuming that Halland sang that line.)

Phoebe:

Walker sings "When maiden loves," "Were I thy bride," part of the Act I finale and "A man who would woo a fair maid"; Heyl sings "Alas, I waver to and fro," part of the Act I finale, "When a wooer goes a-wooing" and the Act II finale.

Second Yeoman:

Dawson sings "Tower warders"; Radford sings "Didst thou not, oh, Leonard Meryll".

"78s 2 CD" GS01

The opera was recorded initially in four sessions, two in March and two more in May, 1920. (As initially published, the set also included an "Instrumental Selection" that was recorded on a separate date.)

After hearing the records, Rupert D'Oyly Carte had two significant objections. He found Ruby Heyl's Phoebe "quite unsuitable," observing that "Her voice is far too heavy and mature in quality." He also found George Baker too robust a jester, observing that, in the Act II finale, he "[did] not convey in the least that the man was on the point of collapse."

Owing to these objections, three more sessions were scheduled. All of Phoebe's significant solo music was re-recorded, with Nellie Walker replacing Ruby Heyl (although Heyl's parts in the concerted numbers were allowed to remain in the set). And, the end of Act II was re-recorded for Baker to become more broken-hearted. The details of the recording sessions are presented in the "Recording Sessions" table, below.

The casting of the Lieutenant presents some confusion. From the record labels, one would conclude that Radford sings the role throughout Act I and Halland throughout Act II. However, this arrangement would have Radford singing "Astounding news, the prisoner fled..." and then answering himself with Shadbolt's line, "My lord, I did not set him free." It seems more likely that Halland sang the Lieutenant in the Act I finale (he was clearly present during the recording session), although it is difficult to tell from listening to the side.

Derek Oldham sang Fairfax again on the 1928 Yeomen, which also has the advantage of being an electrical set and having D'Oyly Carte performers in most of the roles. However, for those with a taste for vintage recordings, Chris Webster "Sounds on CD" and 78s 2 CD have each issued the recording on CD at an extremely reasonable price.