Anna Russell

When London-born performer Anna Russell decided to combine her well-oiled comedic timing with her classical training as a lyric soprano, she quickly earned the moniker "Crown Princess of Musical Parody." This collection of Russell's television appearances from 1964, 1976 and 1977 includes interviews, renditions of classical and rock 'n' roll songs and sidesplitting routines on the bagpipe and French horn.

In a small Japanese town, Ko-Ko is appointed to the unenviable position of executioner. Knowing he must successfully perform before the appearance of the Mikado in a month's time, Ko-Ko finds a suitable victim in Nanki-Poo, who is distraught over his unrequited love for the maiden Yum-Yum. Nanki-Poo agrees to sacrifice his life if he is allowed to spend his remaining days with Yum-Yum, who is betrothed to Ko-Ko.

A private eye is hired to go undercover at a health farm, but before he can find out why his client is murdered.

An "electronic puppet" version of the Humperdinck opera, adapted for children and using spoken dialogue as well as Humperdinck's music.

Singer-comedienne Anna Russell sinks her chops into some of the opera world's tastiest sacred cows in this farewell concert filmed live in 1984 inside Baltimore's Museum of Art. Highlights include Russell's instructions on "How to Become a Singer"; her recollections of "Wind Instruments I Have Known"; her unique interpretation of Richard Wagner's "Ring" cycle; and her performance of "Jolly Old Sigmund Freud."