Work Title
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King Arthur, or The British Worthy
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Alternative. Title
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Dramatick opera or semi-opera
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Name Translations
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King Arthur; Rey Arturo; King Arthur, or the British Worthy; Artúr király (opera); Король Артур; Král Artuš; king arthur; Rei Artús; アーサー王; 亚瑟王
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Authorities
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Wikipedia; GND: 300123019; BNF: 13921234n
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Composer
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Purcell, Henry
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Opus/Catalogue NumberOp./Cat. No.
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Z.628
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I-Catalogue NumberI-Cat. No.
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IHP 33
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Movements/SectionsMov'ts/Sec's
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5 acts (musical numbers only):
- Act I.
- 1. Overture
- 2. Air
- 3. Overture (ritornello)
- 4. Woden, first to thee (tenor, bass and chorus)
- 5. The white horse neigh'd aloud (tenor and alto)
- 6. The lot is cast, and Tanfan pleas'd (soprano)
- 7. Brave souls, to be renown'd in story (chorus)
- 8. I call you all to Woden's hall (alto and chorus)
- 9a. Military Symphony
- 9b. Come if you dare (tenor and chorus)
- Act II.
- 10. Introduction
- 11. Symphony
- 12. Hither this way (chorus)
- 13. Let not a moonborn elf deceive thee (Grimbald)
- 14. Hither this way (chorus)
- 15. Come follow me (Philidel and spirits)
- 16. How blest are the shepherds (shepherd and chorus)
- 17. Shepherd, shepherd, leave decoying (shepherdesses)
- 18a. Hornpipe
- 18b. Come, shepherds, lead up a lively measure (shepherds)
- 19. Second Act Tune: Air
- Act III.
- 20. Prelude, The Frost Scene
- 21. What ho! thou genius of this isle (Cold Genius)
- 22. What Power art thou, who from below... (Cupid)
- 23. Thou doting fool (Cupid)
- 24. Great Love, I know thee now (Cold Genius)
- 25. No part of my dominion shall be waste (Cupid)
- 26. Prelude
- 27. See, see, we assemble (chorus of Cold People)
- 28. 'Tis I that have warm'd ye (Cupid, chorus of Cold People)
- 29. Sound a parley (Cupid and Cold Genius, chorus)
- 30. Third Act Tune: Hornpipe
- Act IV.
- 31. Two Daughters of this Aged Stream are we (Sirens)
- 32. Passacaglia
- 33. How happy the lover (Nymphs and Sylvans)
- 34. For love every creature (duet and chorus)
- 35. Fourth Act Tune: Air
- Act V.
- 36. Trumpet tune
- 37. Ye Blust'ring Brethren of the Skies (Aeolus)
- 38. Symphony
- 39. Round thy Coasts, Fair Nymph of Britain (Pan and a Nereid)
- 40. For Folded Flocks, on Fruitful Plains (Trio)
- 41. Your hay it is Mow'd, and your Corn is Reap'd (Comus and peasants)
- 42. Fairest Isle (Venus)
- 43. You say 'tis love (Duet)
- 44. Trumpet Tune
- 45. Saint George, the Patron of our Isle (Honour and chorus)
- 46. Chaconne
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Year/Date of CompositionY/D of Comp.
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1691
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First Performance.
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1691-May or June in London, Queen's Theatre, Dorset Garden
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First Publication.
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1691
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Librettist
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John Dryden (1631–1700)
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Language
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English
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Dedication
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The Marquis of Halifax
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Composer Time PeriodComp. Period
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Baroque
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Piece Style
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Baroque
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Instrumentation
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voices, mixed chorus, orchestra
- Cast
- King Arthur (spoken)
Oswald, King of Kent (spoken) Conon, Duke of Cornwal (spoken) Merlin, a famous Inchanter (spoken) Osmond, Saxon Magician (spoken) Aurelius, Friend to Arthur (spoken) Albanact, Captain of Arthur's Guards (spoken) Guillamar, Friend to Oswald (spoken) Emmeline, Daughter of Conon (spoken) Matilda, Her Attendant (spoken) Philidel, an Airy Spirit/Cupid (soprano) Grimbald, an Earthy Spirit (bass/baritone) Saxon Priests (bass/baritone, tenor) Two Valkyries (soprano, alto) British Warrior (tenor) Shepherd (tenor) Cold Genius (bass) Aeolus (bass) Nereid (soprano) Pan (bass) Venus (soprano) He (bass) She (soprano) Comus (bass) Honour (soprano)
- Mixed Chorus
- Shepherds, Shepherdesses, Sirens, Nymphs, Sylvans, Cold People
- Orchestra
- 2 flutes (recorders), 2 oboes, 2 trumpets, drums, strings, continuo
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Discography
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MusicBrainz
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Authorities
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Wikidata
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External Links
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Wikipedia article 1691 libretto
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