NORMA BURROWES Gilbert & Sullivan: "The sun whose rays"

Soprano Norma Burrowes sings Yum-Yum's aria, "The sun whose rays are all ablaze", from the G&S operetta "The Mikado"
John Matheson conducts the New Philharmonia Orchestra
Introduced by Michael Flanders
Filmed in 1973

[@brettmuir5679]

The last scene of the film "Topsy Turvey" is perhaps the best performance of this music on video

[@auntielisa]

Ah, how exquisite! Her relaxed pose; her breath control; her total confidence; her lyrical, connected diction ... she's a treasure.

[@georgevalentine780]

She has a voice as clear as crystals.

[@soavemusica]

Radiant singing, ladies and gentleman.

[@aiya3130]

This is a deceptively difficult song and she makes it look and sound effortless!

[@patriciahiggins9188]

Something beautiful

[@Tocsin-Bang]

Wonderfully controlled. A difficult aria, but Norma carries it off with seeming ease.

[@rockym2931]

Beautiful, the lady, the song, and the simple but elegant backdrop.

[@mariashelly6392]

Beautiful voice

[@johnfrancis2215]

Simply beautiful lol ☺️😍

[@erpollock]

Simply lovely.

[@joecburke]

A lovely rendition. She has a beautiful voice, she hits the notes spot on, and she keeps the pace up (many renditions of this song can drag). I dislike the "echo chamber" of this recording, I assume it was intentional.

[@S.Lander]

An English rose.

[@EliezerPennywhistler]

"The 19th Century Flanders & Swann". Good!

[@MrCuddlyable3]

Confounded impertinence!

[@Gwailo54]

I am torn between this performance and Valerie Masterson, though it does relegate the marvellous Jean Hindmarsh, who I grew up hearing on record, into third place. What’s the common denominator between all three? They don’t try to sing it as a big aria, but a young girl (blessed with melody and lyrics) singing about beauty. Vibrato has to be well controlled and the soprano must never sing about the sun or moon Anne Dai. “And I” have to be two of the trickiest consecutive English words to sing without over enunciating it.

[@orion8835]

It’s a haunting andfascinating song. Incredibly late Victorian in style. I am surprised they did not give Burrowes a Gibson hairdo lol. Her reading was bland and tranquil lacking bite of the lyrics and the slight nervousness of the air. Never th this is another way to go.

[@DennisBetts1]

Very nice but I prefer Lesley Garrett's version

[@koosriedijk3872]

If comments as unimportant (and in fact rude ) as these ( "I prefer this above that") were simply thought and not written, it would be a lot more pleasant "everywhere on KZbin", as it seems viewers don't come any further than "one" subjective opinion. And who is waiting for that? On the other hand there are many comments of great value like information about historical facts, about song, composer, orchestra and the career of the singer. That is the positive side of youtube, that it becomes a kind of Wikipedia. But not everybody seems to understand that. By the way: Norma Burrowes is brilliant. So sad she stopped so early in her career. Therefore the youtube contributions are of great historical value. Her "Tiny"s song / Britten is unsurpassed. Thanks!

[@vrfvfdcdvgtre2369]

This version is much more lyrical than anyone else`s. Can it be vanity? No, it`s true!

[@kennethwayne6857]

Cheers to all sopranos who sing this difficult aria, most I've heard have something unique to offer. My personal favorites are Valerie Masterson and Marie McLaughlin.

[@jimbo1066]

Very nice but I prefer Patricia Higgins’ comment.