The 1972 BBC-TV Gondoliers

The BBC-TV Gondoliers (1972)

***Cast***
Duke of Plaza-Toro	Denis Dowling
Luiz	Joseph Ward
Don Alhambra	Michael Langdon
Marco	John Brecknock
Giuseppe	Thomas Allen
Antonio	Alan Charles
Francesco	[information missing]
Giorgio	[information missing]
Annibale	[information missing]
Duchess of Plaza-Toro	Heather Begg
Casilda	Beverly Bergen
Gianetta	Laureen Livingstone
Tessa	Delia Wallis
Fiametta	Sara de Javelin
Vittoria	Cynthia Buchan
Giulia	[information missing]
Inez	Edith Coates

Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: David Lloyd-Jones
Director: Bill Hays

Originally broadcast on BBC2
February 4, 1972

***Related Pages***
Recordings of The Gondoliers
The BBC Videos
The G&S Archive's Gondoliers Page

This studio production was broadcast on the BBC in 1972 and was also probably shown on U.S. television at some point. I am not aware of any home video release. I have not seen a copy of it, but have heard that it is excellent. Several of the performers went on to major grand opera careers (particularly Tom Allen). The conductor here, David Lloyd-Jones, edited Ernest Eulenberg's critical edition of The Gondoliers, so one would expect him to lead a performance of absolute authority.

Fred Judkins wrote to me:

Yes, this Gondoliers is excellent, with a memorable first scene, complete with very beautiful dances. All of the performers are great, with a very funny Duchess, who had a "terrible taste for tippling."