• Jane Oakshott & Jack Edwards narrators
• Philippa Hyde & Claire Tomlin soprano
• Timothy Kenworthy-Brown countertenor
• Patrick McCarthy tenor
• Psalmody
• Essex Baroque Orchestra
• directed by Peter Holman  

King Arthur is the second of the great semi-operas—plays with elaborate music—that Purcell wrote for the London theatres in the 1690s, and contains some of his finest theatre music.  John Dryden’s play tells the story of Arthur’s struggles against the Saxons, though it owes nothing to the Mediaeval legends of Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table.  Instead, there is plenty of emphasis on sorcery, magic and spectacular music, including the famous Frost Scene, conjured-up by the Saxon magician Osmond to seduce Emmeline, Arthur’s intended bride.  In this complete concert performance, Purcell’s music is linked by a specially written script conveying the essence of Dryden’s play.