Loesser
Guys and Dolls
Sierra Boggess, Nathaniel Hackmann, Louise Dearman et al; Sinfonia of London/John Wilson
Chandos CHSA5382(2) 82:57 mins
Like its predecessors in the series, John Wilson’s recording with members of the Sinfonia of London and West End performers (plus a moving return from retirement from Thomas Allen as Arvide Abernathy) gives you every available note of Frank Loesser’s much admired score – a Broadway hit in 1950 and regularly revived ever since.
The conductor’s interview with David Benedict in the substantial accompanying booklet also mentions that the original orchestrations are missing but have been restored as far as possible by Larry Moore, making this set indispensable for serious fans of classic musicals.
The band sounds marvellous, playing with a sophistication and style that are hallmarks of Wilson’s series; the winds are particularly flavourful. The cast, too, reaches high standards in terms of characterisation and accent.
Sierra Boggess’s sweet-toned lyricism is just right for Mission evangelist Sarah Brown, with Nathaniel Hackmann’s worldly-wise Sky Masterson responding with a charmingly easy communicative manner. Louise Dearman brings comic pathos and curdled vowels to Miss Adelaide, partnered by David Seadon-Young’s unwilling bridegroom Nathan Detroit.
Damian Humbley’s urbane Nicely-Nicely Johnson makes a star turn out of ‘Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat!’ – one of many great songs in a score that contains no duds. The lyrics are Loesser’s too, but the booklet also helpfully includes stage directions which add to the listener’s ability to imagine the entire show from the performance alone; but then that’s not hard, given a recording that puts you in imaginary seats in the central stalls.
