Iolanthe - ’Fold your flapping wings’

For the intervals of the series of Savoy Operas broadcast in 1989, the BBC commissioned David Mackie to give interval talks about each opera. The most interesting of these were those where the versions we know today are different from those originally performed. This enabled Mackie to have recordings made of some of the “lost“ music. In the case of ’Iolanthe’ we have Stephon’s recitative and song sung here by Neil Jenkins. “My bill has now been read a second time: His ready vote no member now refuses; In verity I wield a pow’r sublime, And one that I can turn to mighty uses! What joy to carry, in the very teeth Of ministry, cross-bench and opposition, Some rather urgent measures quite beneath The ken of Patriot and Politician! Fold your flapping wings, Soaring legislature! Stoop to little things, Stoop to human nature! Never need to roam, Members patriotic, Let’s begin at home Crime is no exoti