CD-Charts Position 1

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Classics for Kids

Search: Valerie
by: Various Artists

Release Date July 22, 1997

CD-Charts Position 2
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Gilbert & Sullivan: The Pirates of Penzance

Search: Valerie
by: The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Isidore Godfrey

Release Date March 24, 2003
I agree that this is the definitive recording. Doyly Carte at their very best. I like the quaint dialogue and I think its integral to the performance and fixes the piece in its very Victorian place. For me the high point is Valerie Masterson's brilliant "Poor wand'ring one" - absolute perfection!

CD-Charts Position 3
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THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE (HLTS) DSP

Search: Valerie
by: G & S

Release Date November 24, 1992
I agree that this is the definitive recording. Doyly Carte at their very best. I like the quaint dialogue and I think its integral to the performance and fixes the piece in its very Victorian place. For me the high point is Valerie Masterson's brilliant "Poor wand'ring one" - absolute perfection!

CD-Charts Position 4
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Gilbert & Sullivan: The Mikado (highlights)

Search: Valerie
from: Decca

Release Date October 16, 1991
I agree that this is the definitive recording. Doyly Carte at their very best. I like the quaint dialogue and I think its integral to the performance and fixes the piece in its very Victorian place. For me the high point is Valerie Masterson's brilliant "Poor wand'ring one" - absolute perfection!

CD-Charts Position 5
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Sullivan: The Mikado

Search: Valerie
by: The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Royston Nash

Release Date March 24, 2003
This recording from 1973 was made to celebrate 21 years of John Reed in the company. Musically it is conducted with flair and some enlightening passages. Roysten Nash produces subtle elements of Sullivan's score. The principals without exception are all past their prime and cannot match the later Telemarc version. To find the best Mikado, try and find the 1957 recording with Donald adams, Thomas Round, Jean Hindmarsh and Peter Pratt, it can be found!! brilliantly refurbished onto CD. That is and was D'Oyly Carte at their best. There is also the 1957 Pirates available! Happy hunting.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Gilbert & Sullivan: The Sorcerer / The Zoo

Search: Valerie
by: The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Isidore Godfrey Royston Nash

Release Date March 24, 2003
The Sorcerer has been a much neglected opera, so this recording is a real treat. With superb singing from John Reed and Valerie Masterton, it is also a tribute to those great D'Oyly Carte singers who are sadly no longer with us; Donald Adams can never be anything but brilliant,and Alan Styler sounds better than he ever has - very poignant as this recording was made just a few years before his untimely death.
I had not heard The Zoo before, but greatly enjoyed it; Kenneth Sandford as always has such a delightful, expressive voice, and the late Meston Reid was a very fine tenor with a good tone and diction.
This cd is well worth adding to ones G&S collection

CD-Charts Position 7
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Gilbert & Sullivan: Princess Ida / Pineapple Poll

Search: Valerie
by: The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Malcolm Sargent

Release Date March 24, 2003
Of course everyone has personal favourites amongst the G & S recorded repertoire and certainly for me PRINCESS IDA is far more immediate, far better paced, in the 1953 recording, but suffers from an ageing Victoria Sladen in the title role. The 1965 recording presented here, has the advantage of Elizabeth Harwood and also the young Valerie Masterson making her recording debut as Melissa.

John Reed as King Gama is remarkably subdued for him, but then he has little to do and the lack of dialogue deprives him of much of his vehicle. Kenneth Sandford however, turns in a wonderful King Hildebrand.

Hilarion (Philip Potter) and his friends have great fun in Act Two and the second act finale is a highlight.

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