Cover of King Arthur

King Arthur

by John Dryden

Chapter 1 of 6 Prologue and Dramatis Personae

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Running time
1 h 48 min
Language
English
Readers
Agnes Robert Behr, Alan Mapstone, Algy Pug, Beeswaxcandle, Christine Rottger and 14 others

Chapters

About this recording

King Arthur, or The British Worthy, is a play or Semi-Opera with a libretto by John Dryden and music by Henry Purcell. It was first performed at the Queen's Theatre in London in 1691.

In this unusual version of the Arthurian legend Arthur is King of Britain fighting to repel the invading Saxons led by Oswald, King of Kent, and in love with the blind Princess Emmeline, daughter of the Duke of Cornwall. The play has many supernatural elements, Enchanters, Magicians, Spirits, Apparitions and Transformations. The play ends with a Masque for which Purcell wrote some of his finest music including the song "Fairest Isle" in praise of Britain.

(Summary by Alan Mapstone)

Cast List:

King Arthur: Algy Pug

Oswald: iamshawn

Osmond: Beeswaxcandle

Conan: Greg Giordano

Merlin: Larry Wilson

Aurelius: Priamedes

Albanact: HelloCentral

Guillimar: Wayne Cooke

Emmeline: Christine Rottger

Matilda: oogiesragdoll

Philadel: ToddHW

Grimbald: Agnes Robert Behr

Cupid: Inkell

Genius: Alan Mapstone

Syrens: dc

Aeolus: ToddHW

Pan: Elijah Fisher

Nereid: Rapuzelina

He: David Purdy

She: Michelle Purdy

Comus: Alan Mapstone

Venus: Alan Mapstone

Prologue: Alan Mapstone

Epilogue: Agnes Robert Behr

Narration: Alan…