The plot is based on the battles between King Arthur's Britons and the Saxons, rather than the legends of Camelot (although Merlin does make an appearance). It is a Restoration spectacular, including such supernatural characters as Cupid and Venus plus references to the Germanic gods of the Saxons, Woden, Thor, and Freya. The tale centres on Arthur's endeavours to recover his fiancée, the blind Cornish Princess Emmeline, who has been abducted by his arch-enemy, the Saxon King Oswald of Kent.
| Librettist | John Dryden |
| Date of composition | 1691 |
| Premiered | 1691 (Queen's Theatre, Dorset Garden) in London, United Kingdom |
| Type | Opera |
| Catalogue | Z. 628 |
| Spoken language | English |
| Instruments |
Narrator, Recitant, Speaker
- King Arthur
Narrator, Recitant, Speaker - Oswald, King of Kent, a Saxon and a Heathen Narrator, Recitant, Speaker - Conon, Duke of Cornwal, Tributary to King Arthur Narrator, Recitant, Speaker - Merlin, a famous Inchanter Narrator, Recitant, Speaker - Osmond, a Saxon Magician, and a Heathen Narrator, Recitant, Speaker - Aurelius, Friend to Arthur Narrator, Recitant, Speaker - Albanact, Captain of Arthur's Guards Narrator, Recitant, Speaker - Guillamar, Friend to Oswald Narrator, Recitant, Speaker - Emmeline, Daughter of Conon Narrator, Recitant, Speaker - Matilda, Her Attendant Voice (Soprano) - Philidel, an Airy Spirit/Cupid Voice (Bass) - Grimbald, an Earthy Spirit 4x Voice - Saxon Priests Sopranino Mandolin - Two Valkyries Voice (Tenor) - British Warrior Chorus/Choir - Shepherds and Shepherdesses Voice (Bass) - Cold Genius 2x Voice (Soprano) - ; Two Sirens 3x Voice (Soprano) - ; Three Nymphs Voice (Bass) - Aeolus Voice (Soprano) - Nereid Voice (Bass) - Pan Voice (Soprano) - Venus Voice (Bass) - He (in Mr. Howe's song) Voice (Soprano) - She (in Mr. Howe's song) Voice (Bass) - Comus Voice (Soprano) - Honour |
| In listings |
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Famous Works
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| Autotranslations beta |
Henry Purcell: King Arthur, Z. 628 Henry Purcell: King Arthur, Z. 628 Henry Purcell: King Arthur, Z. 628 |