Gilbert and Sullivan: Princess Ida - Act Two (BBC, 1966)

First broadcast by the BBC on Network Three at midday on Sunday, 17th April 1966, this opera probably has, in retrospect, the most stellar casting of the whole series. As usual with this series, there is dual-casting for most roles.
Here we have Dame Patricia Routledge (b. 1929) speaking and singing the role of Melissa.
Prunella Scales (b. 1932) speaks the role of Princess Ida herself, while her real-life husband, Timothy West (b. 1934), speaks the role of the princess's father, King Gama. They had married three years before.
The veteran Gilbert and Sullivan baritone George Baker (1885-1976) sings King Gama.
Singing actor Denis Quilley (1927-2003) speaks and sings the role of Florian.
Contralto Monica Sinclair (1925-2002) sings the role of Lady Blanche and mezzo Patricia Kern (1927-2005) that of Lady Psyche.
Jeanette Sinclair (b. 1928) sings the title role and was a principal soprano at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and at Glyndebourne Festival Opera, during the 1950s and 1960s. She also appeared in the BBC 1966 production of 'The Sorcerer'.
The voice of Jack May (1922-1997), who speaks the role of King Hildebrand, will be familiar to many as that of Nelson Gabriel in 'The Archers'.
Forbes Robinson (1926-1987), cast as Arac, was a British bass who created the title role in Michael Tippett's 'King Priam' in 1962.
John Noble (1931-2008), cast as Scynthius, was an English baritone. He was Ralph Vaughan Williams's favourite in the title role of the composer's opera 'The Pilgrim's Progress' in 1954.
John Wakefield (1936-2019), who sings the role of Prince Hilarion, was a well-known tenor in both the UK and USA. He joined Trinity College of Music as Professor of Singing in the 1970s, becoming Director of Opera in 1980.
Donald Franke (1930-2017), here singing King Hildebrand went on to play the part of Old Deuteronomy in the West End production of 'Cats' between 1986 and 1994.
Leslie Fyson (1923-1996), who plays Guron, had a very wide-ranging career including the ITV comedy 'The Army Game'.
John Baddeley (b. 1933) and Mary Wimbush (1924-2005) speak the roles of Cyril and Lady Blanche respectively. Both were members of the BBC Drama Repertory Company. Wimbush played the part of Julia Pargetter in 'The Archers' as well as many other well-remembered roles on radio and TV. She was married to the actor Howard Marion Crawford.
Barrie Ingham (1932-2015) found his greatest fame on Broadway and died in Florida.

[@Tenortalker]

Jeanette Sinclair is a spirited Ida and so nice to find her in this leading role. So talented.

[@webrarian]

And as of today, 7 August 2024, Wikipedia suggests she is still with us.

[@saltburner2]

Classic cast - who could assemble one like this today?

[@webrarian]

Tim West would still be up for Gama, I'm sure. Perhaps Sam West as Hilarion?

[@whyis_hehere6638]

Very nice!

[@bigboydaveys]

Help - anyone have Act 3?

[@karldelavigne8134]

Monica Sinclair singing "Come might must" is almost as good as Bertha Lewis. Like a fog horn heard from over the cliff.

[@Tenortalker]

She actually gets to sing the aria. So often it is cut which is a pity as it helps to flesh out Blanche's character. Had to laugh at the narration ' Lady Blanche leaves and the garden is at peace again.'🤣 I bet Monica Sinclair had a laugh at that too!