Richard Rodgers & Stephen Sondheim: Do I Hear A Waltz? - Rodgers & Sondheim

Do I Hear a Waltz? received a lukewarm response from critics lasting only 220 performances at the 46th Street Theatre. However, not since his days with Lorenz Hart had Rodgers written such an energetic, youthful and joyful score while Stephen Sondheim's lyrics are of course witty and wonderful.

Based on Arthur Laurents' play The Time of the Cuckoo (which turned into the film Summertime starring Katharine Hepburn), the story concerns a teacher, Leona Samish (played by Elizabeth Allen), who's holiday in Venice is dominated by her romance with the handsome Renato di Rossi (played by Sergio Franchi). There are a host of colourful supporting characters including the ebullient hotelier Signora Fioria (Carol Bruce).

The score is delicious with the opening number perfectly setting up the scene ("Someone Woke Up"), to Fioria's big number "This Week Americans", as well as the Title Song, sung for all its worth by Elizabeth Allen - it's a delight to hear her fabulous belt voice on this album. Sergio Franchi has a supple voice which can not only handle the big aria-like numbers like "Stay" and "Take the Moment", he's a comedy delight in "Bargaining" where he effortlessly, instantly, and repeatedly switches from his natural tenor to a glorious falsetto, and back again.

For all the problems that plagued the musical during its inception, nothing shows on this sparkling cast album. This CD is a must.