Past Events

King Arthur, Melbourne Recital Centre

Melbourne Recital Centre

16 February 2019, 7.30pm

Anna Dennis and Mhairi Lawson sopranos
Hugo Hymas and James Gilchristtenors
Marcus Farnsworth and Ashley Riches baritone/bass

Purcell King Arthur

Long renowned for our performances of the music of Henry Purcell, Gabrieli present King Arthur, the composer’s great 17th century patriotic opera, in a new performing edition by Christopher Suckling. Depicting the battles between King Arthur’s Britons and the Saxon invaders, this 1691 setting of John Dryden’s poetry is full of dynamic dance rhythms and lyrical song, including the justly famous Fairest Isle, as well as the ‘frost scene’. Conductor Paul McCreesh leads a virtuosic consort cast in one of Purcell’s most vivid and imaginative scores.