I was fortunate enough to find this little oddity in a Venetian market earlier this month. As far as I can tell it’s a live recording from a performance of composer G. Donizetti’s “The Elixir Of Love” by The Victorian Opera Company. I don’t know much about Opera, but I loved the handwritten cover and the fact that the master was cut live (a recording technique that seems quite insane by today’s standards).
It’s pressed to a “Mastersound Custom Processed Record” meaning there is no catalogue number, but the matrix in the runout reads “LWG-6833 A”. The label states that the conductor for this session was Leonard Spira and the produce was David Niven. Neither of whom I am familiar with.
Recording of “Elixir Of Love” by G. Donizetti.
Sung by The Victorian Opera Company.
Conducted by Leonard Spira.
Margaret Haggard sings the role of Adina.
John Pringle sings the role of Dulcamera.
Was singing first tenor in chorus.
Recorded live at the Palais Theatre, St. Kilda
As far as I can tell both Margaret Haggard and John Pringle were main stays at The Victorian Opera Company, St. Kilda, Australia . Sadly, I can find no information about the recording other than what’s written on the cover. If I had to guess I would say it was recorded in the mid-seventies.
It’s a lovely performance, sung entirely in English (thank god!), and a relaxing listen. If anyone has information about the recording (especially who the illusive ‘I’ was) please get in contact with me.
It’s a terrible shame that someone who once proudly wrote on the cover what part he sung, then presumably sent his recording halfway around the world had it end up in an old dusty box in a second-hand market. Hopefully freeing the recording makes up for it.
Listen below to hear a long-lost, likely forgotten recording.
Side 1
Side 2
The Victorian Opera Company became the Victoria State Opera in 1975 and merged with The Australian Opera in 1997. Margaret Haggart had a distinguished career with the ENO before returning to Australia where she has worked extensively with all companies. John Pringle is a mainstay of the national company. The Victorian Opera was formed in 1962 by Leonard Spira and performed at the Palais in the late 1960s. By the 70s they had moved to The Union Theatre on Melbourne University campus. I would think this recording would be possibly 1968? Its a wonderful find which I have copied to Margaret thank you.
Incredible information, thank you so much! I never, ever though I would get info on this record – I even tried emailing The Victorian Opera company. I’ve posted a reply to your other comment, but if there’s anything I can do to reunite Margaret with a copy of this, please let me know.
OMG😳🤩👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 I Am SPEECHLESS!! Had NO IDEA this existed!!! OMG! The “I” might well have been Barry Skelton, who was in at the establishment of VLOC…the “Light” was dropped early. Damn..about to run out of charge..will continue when re-energised & I’ve recovered from the shock. Elixir was in ‘65 I think. OMG! 😳😍🤯🤯🤯
Robert, thank you so much for taking the time to write this! I can’t believe we managed to find out what the recording was! I wonder what it was doing in a market stall in the middle of Italy? 😀
If you’re interested, I can put the recording on CD for you and send it over. It would be great to reunite Margaret with the recording after all these years
David Niven taught for many years at Melbourne High School. My understanding is that he also directed Tales of Hoffmann (at the Palais) and Der Freischütz (at the Union Theatre). His wife Barbara did costumes for Elixir and Hoffman, I think.
What an unexpected pleasure it was listening to this recording! I came across the site whilst searching for information on Margaret Haggard. Coincidently my son attended Melbourne High School in the late ’80’s. I must ask if he remembers Mr Niven.