Purcell: King Arthur

Music drama at its finest

Henry Purcell’s 1691 dramatic opera »King Arthur« continues to fascinate audiences to this day thanks to its unique symbiosis of drama, opera and dance. At the heart of this timeless masterpiece stands the conflict between King Arthur’s Britons and the heathen Saxon invaders – and of course the legendary king’s love affairs. Paul McCreesh and his virtuosic Gabrieli Consort count among the most proficient and imaginative interpreters of Henry Purcell’s music. With great verve and sensuality, the soloists and choir slip into the roles of wizards and sorcerers, mythical and supernatural beings, soldiers, infatuated shepherdesses, drunken farmers and the residents of a fabled land. Many of the songs have developed a life of their own and are a must in any Purcell recital: these include gems such as »We Have Sacrificed«, »Fairest Isle« and »What Power Art Thou«, better known as the »Cold Song«, of which Sting produced a beautiful recording.