Gilbert & Sullivan’s penultimate opera, Utopia, Limited, was written immediately after The Gondoliers. Here, it is performed by Scottish Opera, with an updated libretto by director Stuart Maunder and a revised musical version by Head of Music Derek Clark.

Satirising the conceits of the mighty British Empire, its politics, monarchy and press, Utopia, Limited is as incisive now as ever it was. Full of sparkling wit, Utopia, Limited is packed with show-stopping patter, brilliant choruses and music that is, at times, of almost Verdian beauty.

This audio recording is taken from Scottish Opera’s new co-production with D’Oyly Carte Opera & State Opera South Australia. The CD also includes Arthur Sullivan’s Suite from the incidental music to King Arthur.

Overture to Utopia, Limited arranged by John Owen Edwards.

The orchestral edition of Utopia, Limited used in this recording was prepared by Robert Tapsfield.

Sullivan, Suite from the incidental music to the drama King Arthur, arranged from the complete score by Wilfred Ellington Bendall, edited from the composer’s autograph manuscript by Robin Gordon Powell, and published by The Amber Ring.

Cast:
- King Paramount: Neal Davies
- Scaphio: Richard Suart
- Phantis: Arthur Bruce
- Tarara: Philip Gault
- Lord Dramaleigh: Glen Cunningham
- Captain Fitzbattleaxe: William Morgan
- Captain Corcoran: Francis Church
- Mr Goldbury: Mark Nathan
- Sir Bailey Barre: Osian Wyn Bowen
- Mr Blushington: Richard Pinkstone
- Princess Zara: Ellie Laugharne
- Princess Nekaya: Catriona Hewitson
- Princess Kalyba: Sioned Gwen Davies
- Lady Sophy: Yvonne Howard
- Phylla: Zoe Drummond