A DIY label, apparently a one-off one. The only record on the Ariel label that I have been able to trace is the one shown above, an EP called 'The Songs Of Ariel' by Guy Woolfenden, Ian Charleson and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre Wind Ensemble, which came out in 1978. It had a catalogue number of DLC-6791, which doesn't fit any series that I know, and a matrix number of LYN-5455-IS, which indicates a Lyntone pressing. Billboard of the 15th of July 1978 says that the EP was not being given general distribution but was just being sold to people who were visiting Stratford. According to the back of the picture sleeve the address of Ariel Records was Sibford Ferris, Banbury. It seems a reasonable bet that Guy Woolfenden, who wrote the music and conducted it, was the man behind Ariel, but as yet I have not been able to confirm that. The music, which comes from the RSC production of 'The Tempest' directed by Clifford Williams, is tuneful if slightly offbeat stuff, featuring clarinets, bassoons and so forth. An unusual item, then.
Copyright 2011 Robert Lyons.