The aria is in Bb major. I have played a Gilbert and Sullivan selection at Orchestra (on the viola) in a concert. There are impressive major first inversion chords such as Bb/D - wow!
I am being called back for Willis and Mountararat. I have four days to prepare two arias, a trio, a quartet, and a bunch of dialogue. I am grateful to you for these uploads!
That reminds me of the old story of HMS Pinafore... during a performance, some roustabouts tried to steal the scenery. They were chased off empty-handed by the show's cast and crew in part because Gilbert, a stickler for realism, had outfitted the actors playing the ship's Marines with real bayonets.
The great, much-missed Richard Van Allan. Please credit. We've also just lost the wonderful Keel Watson, who sang Private Willis in the ENO revival of Iolanthe.
When all night long a chap remains On sentry-go, to chase monotony He exercises of his brains, That is, assuming that he's got any. Though never nurtured in the lap Of luxury, yet I admonish you, I am an intellectual chap, And think of things that would astonish you. I often think it's comical - Fal, lal, la! How Nature always does contrive - Fal, lal, la! That every boy and every gal That’s born into the world alive Is either a little Liberal Or else a little Conservative! Fal, lal, la! When in that House M.P.'s divide, If they’ve a brain and cerebellum, too, They’ve got to leave that brain outside, And vote just as their leaders tell 'em to. But then the prospect of a lot Of dull M. P.’s in close proximity, All thinking for themselves, is what No man can face with equanimity. Then let’s rejoice with loud Fal la - Fal la la! That Nature always does contrive - Fal lal la! That every boy and every gal That’s born into the world alive Is either a little Liberal Or else a little Conservative! Fal lal la!
@@itscleto8961 To which I would add...... Then let's rejoice with loud Fal la - Fal la la! That Nature always does contrive - Fal la la! That every boy and every girl That's born into the world down here Is either a sour Remainer Or else a swivel-eyed Brexiteer!
Can you imagine this in the Palace of Westminster? What would Sir Keir Starmer think given that the Labour Party didn't exist in those days? Uproar in the House!!!
figaro248 it was never a staged performance, as such. it's from a film version of the opera made by the Brent Walker company in 1982. more info: gasdisc.oakapplepress.com/iolwalk.htm
Hello, Yes you're right - this is most certainly Richard Van Allan. I saw him regularly when he was a principal bass at English National Opera. A splendid performer!
@@peterwalters6924 @figaro248 - yes, it is the very great and sadly lamented bass Richard van Allen, one of the great ENO singers from the 70s to the 90s. He famously created the role of Pooh-Bah in Jonathan Miller's famous black-and-white Mikado at ENO and was a regular there until his retirement. They also did a few special productions for him, most notably a rare staging of Massenet's gorgeous Don Quixote.
I think Gilbert was an incredible lyricist. Has anyone noticed you can take the final comment two ways? Either a "little" liberal, etc. - meaning a "little bit" Liberal - or a "little" Liberal, meaning a "little tot or child" Liberal, etc. Do you think he meant it either way? I do!
The artwork is bitchin' though, and I would love to see an Iolanthe that took place on scenery designed to look like pen-and-ink drawings. Or maybe watercolors for the first act, since the fairies own the natural world, and then pen-and-ink B/W for the second since we're in Punch-land. In any case they must have had a shortage of film because they ignored all the rallantandro in the score.
What a great voice.
The lyrics are still relevant in 2024!
And maybe more relevant than 9 months ago now that the US Presidential election has passed away.
The lyrics are wonderful, the diction too. Love G&S!
The aria is in Bb major. I have played a Gilbert and Sullivan selection at Orchestra (on the viola) in a concert. There are impressive major first inversion chords such as Bb/D - wow!
I am being called back for Willis and Mountararat. I have four days to prepare two arias, a trio, a quartet, and a bunch of dialogue.
I am grateful to you for these uploads!
That reminds me of the old story of HMS Pinafore... during a performance, some roustabouts tried to steal the scenery. They were chased off empty-handed by the show's cast and crew in part because Gilbert, a stickler for realism, had outfitted the actors playing the ship's Marines with real bayonets.
LMAO, that is so funny!
He sounds and looks so great it's easy to see why the Fairy Queen is tempted to fall down and worship him.
Best I've heard since Kenneth Sanford on the DC recording - also heard him in person.
The great, much-missed Richard Van Allan. Please credit. We've also just lost the wonderful Keel Watson, who sang Private Willis in the ENO revival of Iolanthe.
a year ago. and vote just as their leaders tell them to.
I would like to see this sung outside the House of Commons at Westminster! Perhaps the members of the House might sit up and take notice!
When all night long a chap remains
On sentry-go, to chase monotony
He exercises of his brains,
That is, assuming that he's got any.
Though never nurtured in the lap
Of luxury, yet I admonish you,
I am an intellectual chap,
And think of things that would astonish you.
I often think it's comical - Fal, lal, la!
How Nature always does contrive - Fal, lal, la!
That every boy and every gal
That’s born into the world alive
Is either a little Liberal
Or else a little Conservative!
Fal, lal, la!
When in that House M.P.'s divide,
If they’ve a brain and cerebellum, too,
They’ve got to leave that brain outside,
And vote just as their leaders tell 'em to.
But then the prospect of a lot
Of dull M. P.’s in close proximity,
All thinking for themselves, is what
No man can face with equanimity.
Then let’s rejoice with loud Fal la - Fal la la!
That Nature always does contrive - Fal lal la!
That every boy and every gal
That’s born into the world alive
Is either a little Liberal
Or else a little Conservative!
Fal lal la!
Christian Geil thanks very helpful!!
@@itscleto8961 To which I would add......
Then let's rejoice with loud Fal la - Fal la la!
That Nature always does contrive - Fal la la!
That every boy and every girl
That's born into the world down here
Is either a sour Remainer
Or else a swivel-eyed Brexiteer!
Can you imagine this in the Palace of Westminster? What would Sir Keir Starmer think given that the Labour Party didn't exist in those days? Uproar in the House!!!
Boy and gal, liberal or conservative? -- that's so binary! 😃
@@deewesthill1213I didn't know that you were a mathematician!!!
Played Private Willis in 1966.
Wonderful performance! who is the singer and where did the performance take place? Fa la la...
figaro248 it was never a staged performance, as such. it's from a film version of the opera made by the Brent Walker company in 1982. more info: gasdisc.oakapplepress.com/iolwalk.htm
No mention of Pte. Willis in the cast list, alas :(
It seems to be the same guy who was in the TV version of The Mikado - "Richard Van Allan"...
ua-cam.com/video/8SkOWxcbzn0/v-deo.html
Hello, Yes you're right - this is most certainly Richard Van Allan. I saw him regularly when he was a principal bass at English National Opera. A splendid performer!
@@peterwalters6924 @figaro248 - yes, it is the very great and sadly lamented bass Richard van Allen, one of the great ENO singers from the 70s to the 90s. He famously created the role of Pooh-Bah in Jonathan Miller's famous black-and-white Mikado at ENO and was a regular there until his retirement. They also did a few special productions for him, most notably a rare staging of Massenet's gorgeous Don Quixote.
Must be Richard van Allen singing this? Superb.
wounderful
I think Gilbert was an incredible lyricist. Has anyone noticed you can take the final comment two ways?
Either a "little" liberal, etc. - meaning a "little bit" Liberal - or a "little" Liberal, meaning a "little tot or child" Liberal, etc.
Do you think he meant it either way? I do!
Since the song refers to children being born one of each, I think the sentiment is pretty clear!
This should be sung outside the House of Commons at Westminster!
Who is the singer and what production/year is this from?
The singer is Richard van Allan, who also sang Pooh-Bah in the ENO Mikado with Eric Idle.
They have got to leave that brain outside.
If they have got any.
Tell Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner that then!!!
The cheesy green-screen effect reminds me of that nursery rhymes video Caddicarus reviewed.
The artwork is bitchin' though, and I would love to see an Iolanthe that took place on scenery designed to look like pen-and-ink drawings. Or maybe watercolors for the first act, since the fairies own the natural world, and then pen-and-ink B/W for the second since we're in Punch-land. In any case they must have had a shortage of film because they ignored all the rallantandro in the score.
That's not Grenadier Guards tunic, I'm afraid. Rookie error
It looks pretty close to me. Try comparing to images on Google or in reference books
Quite right. It was a pun