Sounds on CD VGS 241

This is an abridged recording and companion film by Gilbert & Sullivan For All, the touring group founded by Donald Adams and Thomas Round that was active for twenty years from 1963 to the early eighties. The recording is of particular interest to hear Valerie Masterson and Thomas Round in roles they never recorded with D'Oyly Carte, as well as to hear what John Reed's understudy (John Cartier) sounded like.

All of the G&S For All recordings use reduced orchestrations, and naturally Yeomen — Sullivan's most sophisticated Savoy Opera score — suffers here. The abridgement also results in many songs essential to the plot landing on the cutting-room floor (including, it seems, the vast majority of Act II). The linking narration in the film is not enough to give one the feel of this highly atmospheric opera.