Nelson & His World

Recently I watched HMS Pinafore, a funny opera/musical by Gilbert and Sullivan. I loved it, especially the cheerful music, and the humour.

Am I right in thinking the story of HMS Pinafore is criticizing the class system in England, a hundred years ago, like the stories written by Charles Dickens were often criticizing the social life/society. At least that is what I hear/read in it.

I hope for those who are interested to watch it tomorrow evening, the Last night of the Proms will be a good one, with all the traditional music and fun.

Sylvia

Sylvia,

I'm glad you enjoyed it, they are great fun. Their operas were written towards the end of the nineteenth century and did, as you say, poke fun at class and the institutions of the day (a fine old English tradition, still going strong in other ways, such as Pantomime!) I'm afraid they are not in vogue as much as they used to be, and probably many young people have never even heard of them, but there are still a few opera companies where they are occasionally performed.

The pair eventually fell out, I gather the pretext was actually over a carpet at the Savoy(!), mainly I think because Sullivan wanted to concentrate on more serious music (he was a great composer in his own right) whereas Gilbert thought they should continue with the comic operas, which were a money earner.

There are actually two good films about them, one of which starred Robert Morley as Gilbert (I forget who played Sullivan). The other was made not so long ago, I think it was called Topsy Turvy, and surrounded the making of the Mikardo, set in Japan.

I found this on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_and_Sullivan

As for the LNoTP, I'm afraid I shall miss it, as we can't get it here, not even courtesy of the BBC! Actually its amazing how its caught on elsewhere, as there is now a Swedish version in Stockholm!

Actually,

I shall be listening to the LNoTP tonight, by coutesy of Swedish radio. I just happened to catch a mention of it on the radio this morning, so that's my evening's entertainment sorted!

Hello Kester,

Thank you for your reply and information. I am so sorry you cannot watch Last night of the Proms. I always enjoy watching it. We have only BBC1 and 2 on the cable here. For interesting programmes on the other English stations I always rely on one of my English friends to copy it for me. Don’t you feel disappointed that you cannot watch the BBC’s in Sweden. I can imagine you would sometimes like to watch television senders from your native country too.

We have a LnotP here too, in my opinion it is not far as so good as the original English one.

Sylvia

PS I sometimes used to listen to Radio Norfolk Saturday evenings on my PC. But now it is no longer available if/when you live outside the UK.

Hello Sylvia,

Well, I did manage to listen to it, the LNOTP's that is, and it was well worth it, despite the fact that it was morning when I eventually went to bed! (To do with the fact that Sweden is one hour ahead of the UK). I have also to admit to a certain feeling of homesickness, when I watch these events!

However, although they played and sung music from some of my favourite composers during the first part, I'm afraid the second half was a bit disappointing. Ok, they included Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance No 1, (Land of Hope and Glory), Jerusalem and Rule Britannia, but left out the Fantasia on British Sea Songs, which is usually considered an item not to be! Obviously this time it was and I imagine it was to fit in one of the other pieces (is it my imagination, or is the first half getting longer?) Let's hope they reinstate it next year! I gathered incidentally, from a review, that the mezzo soprano was dressed as Nelson when she sang Rule Britannia. I did try to find a picture! I would imagine that performances of the so-called LNOTP's in other countries are not as good as the original in London, after all it is really a British event, and the one over here in Sweden seems have pop music! (I have not seen it!)

Although you can get the usual BBC over here, we can't see it due to the fact that the 'package' the powers-that-be, who run our flats association, have decided on doesn't include it! We get a thing called BBC Entertainment, which mostly consists of old BBC sit com. repeats! We used to be able to get BBC World News, but that was swopped for CNN, which in my opinion is nowhere near as good. However, that all seems likely to change soon and we should be able to receive it then, hopefully!

Sadly, no 'Fantasia on British Sea Songs' this year, either. A pity, because the arrangement was by Sir Henry Wood, Founder of the Proms.

But here's a 'You Tube' version, including Charles Dibdin's poignant 'Tom Bowling', composed in memory of his brother, lost at sea, a melody very probably known to Nelson:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufuW3-f_Vp0

One of the reasons the 'Sea Songs' piece might have been dropped is because some of the audience were getting a bit over-enthusiastic with their musical 'accompaniment'. I remember one conductor saying that he enjoyed the fun and nonsense in the jolly bits, but some of the interruptions were very off-putting for the soloists and spoiled the piece. I think I agree.

And yes, 'Rule Britannia' was sung by a 'fine figure of a woman' dressed as Nelson and probably twice his size - and with an equally splendid nose.

Here is Sarah Connolly's Rule Britannia from last evening.

Great fun!!

Especially when you think it was dropped a few years back as being "non-PC".

Hopefully she has set a precedent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgd9nYqVz2s

MB

Anna, Mark,

Thanks for those, I shall do some wallowing in nostalgia!

Anna, the dropping of the sea songs due to some of the audience 'going over the top' I suppose makes sense, and they do spoil it rather! One feels for the conductor and the soloists when they have that to contend with! I had the impression that Sarah Connolly had a bit of that during Rule Britannia, but she obviously ignored it sung in fine style!

Mark,

I do think this PC has gotten out of hand somewhat and I don't see why we shouldn't comemmorate our past. The politicians would probably ban the whole of the 'patriotic' bit from the Last Night if they could - and I still remember Trafalgar bicentenary year, with the Trafalgar re-enactement between the Red and Blue squadrons!

Just watched Sarah Connolly as Nelson, brilliant! Pity though she didn't have her right arm pinned to the coat, and covering the hand, but then I suppose you can't have everything – and she wouldn't have been able to draw her sword and wave the union jack!

Kester:

I do agree that the PC brigade totally misunderstand the Last Night of the Proms which is not a nastily nationalistic event at all, but a very welcoming, inclusive and friendly gathering, full of humour, some of it ironic, and jollity. You will see the flags of many nations cheerfully waved, alongside the Union Flags. I was particularly cheered last year to see an Irish tricolour - very heartwarming in view of the tragic history of our two countries.

The critics fail to make the distinction between nationalism (My country is best and all others are inferior) and patriotism (I love my country, with all it flaws and virtues, and, of course, you love yours too.) One is rooted in contempt and arrogance; the other in respect and generosity of spirit. The Last Night has very much in the latter mood, I think, inviting all-comers to enjoy themselves and the music. As the conductor said in his final speech, far more things unite us than divide us; and music is one of the great unifiers.

Anna,

I do so agree with what you say. Besides the Irish flag there were of course many from other nations, including one I noticed from the Vatican State! Perhaps the Pope enjoys the Proms too!

As to the Proms becoming an almost International event, I am reminded of the phrase 'imitation is the sincerest form of flattery'.

As regards the 're-run' of Trafalgar in 2005, I believe it was a Spanish Naval officer who, when asked what were his feelings on the event since his country was on the losing side, replied: 'You won Trafalgar - but now we get all your best footballers!'

Kester