At the core of these performances are some of the finest British singers of 30 years ago, who were all chosen not just for their singing but for their sense of the theatricality and humour of Gilbert and Sullivan. Just listen, for instance, to how John Heddle Nash gives full expression to every word of Pish-Tush's 'Our great Mikado'. Here, too, is Marion Studholme's delicious Yum-Yum and Elizabeth Harwood's joyous Phyllis.
If one singles out Clive Revill for special mention, it's because his Ko-Ko is uniquely well judged and imaginative, combining superb comic timing, verbal clarity and vocal dexterity.
His 'little list' is hilarious, and you can almost feel your hand gripped at the words 'shake hands with you like that'. At the helm in both works is Alexander Faris who knew supremely well how to capture the lightness and sparkle of operetta. The new Overture put together for The Mikado may come as a surprise, but it's apt and cleverly done. The sound is inevitably dated when compared with more recent recordings, but it scarcely mars the enjoyment.