King Arthur (opera)

In speaking roles:

  • King Arthur, King of Britain
  • Merlin, his magician
  • Conon
  • Guillamar
  • Emmeline
  • Matilda, her servant
  • Oswald
  • Osmond, his magician
  • Philidel, a sylph
  • Grimbald, an Earth Spirit

In singing roles:

  • Cupid
  • Venus
  • Frost spirit
  • Two sirens
  • Pan
  • Nereids
  • Choir of Saxony
  • Choir of the British
  • Shepherds and shepherdesses

King Arthur, or The British Worthy is a semi - opera by Henry Purcell (1659-1695) to a play by John Dryden (1631-1700) in the English language, in five acts with a prologue.

  • 4.1 sheet music
  • 4.2 Text Sources
  • 4.3 libretto

Creation and reception

King Arthur, with the subtitle "The British Worthy " ( The British hero ), is a (so-called ) Semi- opera in five acts, with a libretto by John Dryden and music by Henry Purcell. The plot is based on the struggles of the British King Arthur between the Saxons and Britons, and less on the legends of Camelot (although Merlin the magician appears in Action ). The plot is rather like a revue presented as fully developed dramatically, these encounter characters such as Cupid, Honour ( personified "honor" ) and Venus and the Nordic gods Wotan ( Odin ), Thor and Freya on. The plot revolves mainly around the efforts of Arthur, his fiancée, the blind Cornish Princess Emmeline, to save them from the arms of his arch-enemy, the Saxon King Oswald of Kent.

When King Arthur it is not an opera in the traditional sense today, as the main characters of the plot not sing, but only have speaking roles, where the music only has untermalende function or is used dramatically. The vocal parts to supporting roles are left, which occur in some cases only loosely connected to the actual action scenes linked ( in the style of " Masques "). This results in the term "semi- opera", one for the 17th century in England quite typical genus. Although the music is subordinate to the plot and the libretto Dryden here, King Arthur includes some of the most inspired and beautiful songs and music theater pieces that Purcell composed, with dance rhythms and bold ( for this era ) harmonies.

The most famous scene of the opera is the so-called "Frost Scene" in the third act, is shown in how the power of love ( Cupid ) is able to thaw even the most cold heart. The aria contained therein of the " Cold Genius " is one of the most admired works of Baroque opera, even if it draws on French models (Jean -Baptiste Lully, Isis ). One of the most unusual interpretation of the " Cold Song " comes from countertenor and new-wave singer Klaus Nomi (Munich, 1982).

King Arthur is listed regularly again. However, the work is now mostly viewed as Henry Purcell's opera and performed, and the text of Dryden will be reduced usually edited or omitted entirely.

As an example of a successful performance of this play in recent times the opening of the 2004 Salzburg Festival was called.

Action

Act I

Arthur, the Christian British king, is threatened by the Saxons under King Oswald and would have long since been defeated if not the wise wizard Merlin would have protected him. So Arthur has been able to recapture most of his empire, although supported the Saxon King, the magician Osmond, the spirit and the spirit of the air Grimbald Philidel. Furthermore, to make love to Emmeline Arthur Oswald and Oswald enemies. There ensues a fierce battle; the Saxons are defeated and flee.

Second Act

Merlin is to draw Philidel on the side of the British succeed. Meanwhile Grimbald, disguised as a shepherd trying to lead the British astray. Philidel rescues Arthur and his warriors from the bog into which they have fallen into.

Act Three

Grimbald has dressed as a woman and kidnapped with Osmond and Oswald Emmeline. While the British swear to free the prisoners and Arthur laments the loss of his beloved, it is beset by Oswald. Nevertheless, he does not succeed and Osmond with all his magic to win Emmeline's favor. This has now been given of Philidel a balm, which frees them from their blindness. As in a dream, Arthur and Emmeline can see.

Act Four

Again Grimbald trying to lead Arthur in an enchanted forest with nymphs, satyrs and nymphs, and to destroy there. But even dressed as Emmeline he can not do anything. Arthur destroyed the forest and takes Osmond caught.

Act Five

Arthur also defeated Oswald, who has called him to a duel, and gives him his life. While Merlin general peace proclaimed, Emmeline rushes to Arthur. All join in the praises of Britain. St. George, the patron saint of the island, who once freed the land of dragons and barbarism, is praised.

Sequence of musical numbers

After Zimmerman Directory

  • 29) Duet, "Two Daughters"
  • 30a) Passacaglia
  • 30b - d) Aria, ritornello and chorus, "How happy the Lover"
  • 30e - i) Dialogue and Chorus, "No, no joy"
  • 31) 4th Act Tune
  • 32a) Prelude ( Trumpet Tune )
  • 32b - c ) Aria, " Ye Blust'ring Brethren "
  • 33) Symphony
  • 34) Duet and Chorus, "Round thy coasts "
  • 35a) Aria, " You say tis love"
  • 35b - c ) Aria and Chorus, "This not my passion"
  • 35d - e ) Aria and Chorus, " But one soft moment"
  • 36) Duet, "For folded flocks "
  • 37) Aria and Chorus, "Your hay is mown "
  • 38) Aria " Fairest Isle "
  • 39) Chorus, " St George "
  • 40) 5th Act Tune ( Chaconne )

Editions

Music Editions

  • The Works of Henry Purcell. ( Purcell Society Edition - PSE), Vol 26,
  • "King Arthur" (Easy Band Series 4, Kees Schoonenbeek )

Text sources

  • Digital copy of the complete text of The Works of John Dryden, Now First Collected in Eighteen Volumes ( Scott, 1821), Vol 8, pp. 107ff in the Google Book Search

Libretto

  • Http://opera.stanford.edu/Purcell/KingArthur/libretto.html
1691 Semi-opera Freyja List of compositions by Henry Purcell Hornpipe Integrated Authority File
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