Our first stop is Covent Garden for an aria from one of its greatest stars, Nellie Melba. Rex Harrison observes how the English speak in My Fair Lady. Noël Coward sings “London Pride” and we enjoy the melodic wit of Gilbert & Sullivan.
A Trip to London
Playlist
“Overture” and “Why Can’t the English?” from My Fair Lady by Alan Jay Lerner & Frederick Loewe
Rex Harrison and Robert Coote with Orchestra
(London 1959. COLUMBIA SK 60539)
“Donde lieta” from La bohème by Giacomo Puccini
Nellie Melba, soprano; Landon Ronald, piano
(London 1904. NAXOS 8.110737)
“Three little maids from school are we” and “Here’s a how‐de‐do!” from The Mikado by W.S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan
Elsie Morrison, soprano; Marjorie Thomas, contralto; Jeanette Sinclair, soprano; Richard Lewis, tenor; Geraint Evans, bass-baritone; Glyndebourne Festival Chorus; Pro Arte Orchestra; Malcolm Sargent conductor
(1957. EMI 5 69628 2)
“Take me in a Taxi, Joe” by A.J. Mills & Bennett Scott
Catherine Bott, soprano; David Owen Morris, piano
(London 2003. HYPERION CDA67457)
“London Pride” by Noël Coward
Noël Coward with Orchestra
(London 1941. ANGEL 7 54919 2)
“As Long As He Needs Me” from Oliver by Lionel Bart
Georgia Brown with Orchestra
(Hollywood 1962. RCA VICTOR 82876‐ 51432‐2)