They had a permanent stage
during the winter months at Glamis, and as every new Gilbert and
Sullivan opera was produced in London, the concerted portions were
all duly repeated at Glamis, and given most excellently. I have
never heard the duet and minuet between "Sir Marmaduke" and "Lady
Sangazure" from The Sorcerer better done than at Glamis, although
Sir Marmaduke was only nineteen, and Lady Sangazure, under her
white wig, was a boy of twelve. The same boy sang "Mabel" in the
Pirates of Penzance most admirably.
In 1884 it was conveyed to Lord Strathmore that Mr. and Mrs.
Gladstone, whom he did not know personally, were most anxious to
see Glamis. Of course an invitation was at once dispatched, and in
spite of the rigorously Tory atmosphere of the house, we were all
quite charmed with Mr. Gladstone's personality. Lord Strathmore
wished to stop the part-singing after dinner, but I felt sure that
Mr. Gladstone would like it, so it took place as usual. The old
gentleman was perfectly enchanted with it, and complimented this
tuneful family enthusiastically on the perfect finish of their
singing.
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