Gilbert/ Sullivan: The Mikado (Arts Centre) (Opera Australia: OPOZ560

The best production of the Mikado I have seen and (pertinent to this review) heard. I agree with almost all of John in Seattle’s critique apart from the performance and voice of Jacqueline Dark (Katisha), who’s voice, in my view, is constantly strong and nuanced. It may be in the translation but I find Shadow_Dance’s review is pretty harsh. Taryn Fiebig certainly is memorable and Mr. Breen may take a listen or two to get used to his interpretation of the role but is certainly not weak. The chorus, also, is actually first rate and actually consists of award winners and soloist themselves. All performers diction is near perfect with all lyrics audible. (Apart perhaps from the patter song of Ko-Ko, Pooh-Bah and Pish-Tush). I will agree, though, with the comment that, if you haven’t seen this production try and get a DVD/Blu-ray copy. When listening to this CD I can visualise the staging which is also brill.

Arrived in good time. Item was as described.

Well packaged. Great, truly wonderfull production of the Mikado that I have seen.

Excellent rendition of the comic opera which marked the change from the normal topsey turvery story line that Gilbert used.

Having reviewed the Mackerras and Sargent G&S "cycles", I thought that I would turn my attention to the series of recordings made by the "new" D'Oyly Carte Company. This has long since disbanded and the big difference between the "old" and the "new" D'Oyly Carte companies was that the casts for the latter varied from production to production and this is reflected in this series of recordings which, with one exception and a couple of "guest artists" drafted in, capture the casts of these productions.The first pair of operas to be recorded were "The Mikado" and "The Pirates of Penzance". The chief selling point of "The Mikado" is probably the recorded sound, which is excellent, but the singing is far for the most part decent without being exceptional. Deborah Rees and Bonaventura Bottone sing stylishly as the "romantic leads", but the latter, drafted in as a "guest artist", is not especially ingratiating. Eric Roberts was a very funny Ko-Ko in the theatre, but not much of the humour comes across here, even though he sings the part very nicely. Malcolm Rivers and Michael Ducarel are dependable, no more, as Pooh-Bah and the Mikado, while Susan Gorton's Katisha is rather better than that, offering stylish singing and pointed vocal acting. The best performance comes from the always reliable Gareth Jones in the supporting role of Pish-Tush, a part that always seems to fare well on disc. This is not a bad "Mikado", but it is a long way from being my first choice.