Henry Purcell

Music from King Arthur

Purcell (with Dryden) completed the 'semi-opera' King Arthur in 1685, to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Restoration. After some private performances, the premiere had to be postponed, due to the death of King Charles II. When it was finally performed publicly, it proved too controversial, due to the rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth, and the work was shelved until the 1690's wenn it was staged many times, and well into the early years of the next century. The story bears little resemblance to the legends of King Arthur as they are generally known today. After many adventures, involving Merlin, magic spells, various good and bad spirits, shepherds, priests, sirens and peasants, Emmeline regains her sight, and Arthur gains Kent. The song 'Fairest Isle' - which has become one of Purcell's most loved - is sung by Venus near the end of the opera, when all Arthur's problems have been solved, and his and England's virtues are being extolled by both gods and mortals.

Instrumentation. This set contains: Full score plus the following parts: Part 1: in C (Flute) and/or in B Flat (Clarinet/Soprano Saxophone); Part 2: in C (Flute/Oboe) and/or in B Flat (Clarinet/Soprano Saxophone); Part 3: in B flat (Clarinet) and/or in E Flat (Alto Saxophone); Part 4: in C (Bassoon) and/or in B Flat (Tenor Saxophone) and/or in B Flat (Bass Clarinet). First published in 2006 by Cwmni Cyhoeddi Oriana (Oriana Publications) in Y Barri, Glamorgan, Wales.