Day 5 - Sunday 2 August

"Carry On Sorcerer" by Rug Opera

Thomas Round - "Fifty Years of Musical Theatre"

The Wand'ring Minstrel treats his devoted followers to memories and musical excerpts, both live and on record, of his distinguished career.

Larger view of this picture.

This programme was created by Stephen Turnbull and the Festival MD, Andrew Nicklin, It was the first time ever that professional forces presented a programme containing at least one number from each of Sullivan's 25 operas - even the "lost" ones. There was no cheating - all the music was genuine - and the concert was given with the full support and co-operation of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society, which supplied performing material for most of the less familiar items.

The forces were a 44-piece orchestra, professional soloists , a specially selected amateur chorus, and conductor Andrew Nicklin.

Guest appearances were made by ex-D'oyly Carte legends Jean Hindmarsh and John Reed and the narrator was Stephen Turnbull.

The programme was:

IOLANTHE: The Overture
THE GRAND DUKE: The Roulette Song
THE ZOO: I'm a simple little child
THE SAPPHIRE NECKLACE: The Overture
IVANHOE: O moon art thou clad?
PATIENCE: In a doleful train (double chorus)
THESPIS: The ballet suite from Act II
RUDDIGORE: I shipped, d'ye see
UTOPIA LIMITED: Eagle high
THE EMERALD ISLE: The Typical Irish Pat
THE SORCERER: The 1877 Overture
THE GONDOLIERS: Take a pair of sparkling eyes
TRIAL BY JURY: The Judge's song
PRINCESS IDA: Minerva!

THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD: Night has spread her pall once more
THE CHIEFTAIN: The Overture
THE CONTRABANDISTA: The tinkling sheep-bell
COX AND BOX: The Bacon Lullaby
THE MARTYR OF ANTIOCH: Io Paean!
H.M.S. PINAFORE: Over the bright blue sea (double chorus)
HADDON HALL: Charles Godfrey's selection
THE MIKADO: Tit-willow (1906 words)
THE BEAUTY STONE: Mine, mine at last!
THE ROSE OF PERSIA: The Drinking Song
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE: The Act I finale

Compere and co-creator of the evening's unique concert, Stephen Turnbull, the Secretary of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society.

Larger view of this picture.

Larger view of this picture.

Savoynetter Nick Sales steps into the breach and proves a more than adquate replacement for the indisposed Phillip Potter with his rendition of Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes. His surprise inclusion at the concert invoked a huge response from the many Savoynetters in the audience.

A view of Andrew Nicklin and the splendid Festival Concert Orchestra.

Larger view of this picture.

Larger view of this picture.

Soloists Deborah Norman - Soprano, Helen Beechinor - Mezzo-Soprano, Nick Sales - Tenor and Stephen Godward (Baritone)

The Festival Club with special attraction

The day ended with an 11pm presentation in the Paxton Suite of "A Victorian Evening with Geoff Hales". In the course of the performance, Mr. Hales recited many items which would have been standard pieces for an evening's entertainment in the late Victorian period. These included, but were not limited to, several of the Bab Ballads.

Page updated 5 August 1998