Aladdin (Arkiv version)

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Release Date: November 24, 1992

About Aladdin (Arkiv version):

Though he mostly wrote for the stage, on occasion Cole Porter created musicals for television, the big screen, and other media. Two years after composing the songs for the smash hit film High Society (1956), he was on television with the story of Aladdin, he of the magical lamp. The musical, a DuPont Show of the Month, was presented by the CBS Television Network on February 21, 1958, with Sal Mineo as Aladdin, Cyril Ritchard as The Magician, Anna Maria Alberghetti as the Princess, and Geoffrey Holder as The Genie. Bookwriter S.J. Perelman detailed the familiar story of the poor young man who marries the daughter of the emperor of Cathay, thanks to his lamp’s resident genie. For his part, Cole Porter in his last musical score provided a rich collection of songs: his usual wit found its best expressions in “Come to the Supermarket (in Old Peking)” and “Opportunity Knocks but Once,” while his lyrical sense blossomed in tunes like “Aladdin” and “I Adore You.” Still, the critics never warmed up to this presentation and it was never shown again. A year later, on December 17, 1959, a stage version was presented at the Coliseum in London, with Bob Monkhouse as Aladdin and Doretta Morrow as the Princess.

First LP release: February 10, 1958

Track Listing Aladdin (Arkiv version)

Title

My rating

Average

Introduction

Overture

Come to the Supermarket (in Old Peking)

Make Way

Trust Your Destiny to Your Star

Opportunity Knocks but Once (at Thuh Door)

Aladdin

Wouldn't It Be Fun

I Adore You

No Wonder Taxes Are High

I Adore You (reprise)

Finale

Aladdin - (bonus track)

I Adore You - (bonus track)

Trust Your Destiny to Your Star

Opportunity Knocks but Once - (bonus track)

Synopsis Aladdin (Arkiv version)

After a lush Overture, the Magician sets the scene in Cathay with “Come to the Supermarket (in Old Peking).” Following this invitation, a sudden call from the court's Chamberlain asks the populace to “Make Way” for the appearance of the Emperor and the Princess. Accompanying his illustrious protector, the court Astrologer vainly entreats the Emperor to “Trust Your Destiny to Your Star.”

Meanwhile, in another part of town, the Magician tries to persuade young Aladdin to take part in a nefarious scheme that turns out to be, if only temporarily, much to Aladdin's detriment – “Opportunity Knocks But Once.” Back in the Emperor's palace, the lonely, lovely Princess remembers with a sigh the young man she has seen ever so briefly in the marketplace – “Aladdin.” The Emperor, too, shows signs of being disenchanted with the prerogatives of royalty as he sings “Wouldn't It Be Fun.”

For his part, Aladdin is also smitten with the Princess and expresses his feelings in a song of love – “I Adore You.” Later the Magician, still working his devious tricks, complains about the Emperor's extravagance – “No Wonder Taxes Are High.” Despite the Magician's plots and the Astrologer's dour star-gazing predictions, love conquers all in the end, and Aladdin and the Princess express their love for each other (“I Adore You” – Reprise), and the tuneful Finale brings to a close this rich, inventive score.

– Didier C. Deutsch

Credits Aladdin (Arkiv version)

Magician: Cyril Ritchard
Aladdin: Sal Mineo
The Genie: Geoffrey Holder
Astrologer: Dennis King
Chamberlain: George Hall
Emperor: Basil Rathbone
Princess: Anna Maria Alberghetti*
Aladdin's Mother: Una Merkel
Wu Fang: Akim Tamiroff
Prime Minister: Alec Clarke

*Anna Maria Alberghetti appears through the courtesy of Capitol Records Inc.