Reissues

Puccini Passion and Drama

Alto ALC 1601 (1950s-60s) 149:28 mins (2 discs)

A wonderful assortment of great singers, including Maria Callas, but Puccini is not best sampled like this — the equivalent of guzzling a whole tray of tiramisu, washed down with a bottle of limoncello. ★★★

Puccini Madam Butterf ly

Warner 9029573591 (1966) 141:67 mins (2 discs) One of the great recordings of Butterfly, this Rome version stars — the only word that will do — Renata Scotto, magnificently supported by John Barbirolli at his most Italianate. ★★★★★

Sullivan HMS Pinafore

Eloquence 482 5357 (1971) 96:15 mins (2 discs) One of the least loved of all D’oyly Carte recordings, this goes, er, overboard with distracting sound effects. Valerie Masterson completists will probably already have it for her superb Josephine. ★★

Sullivan The Sorcerer; Utopia Limited (excerpts) Eloquence 482 5363 (1953/63)

101:03 mins (2 discs)

If you must have recordings of these early and late Gilbert and Sullivan collaborations (the rarely performed Utopia Limited is represented by just five tracks), Isidore Godfrey’s performances capture D’oyly Carte at its vintage best. ★★★