The Legend of King Arthur comes to life in new production by Sydney Philharmonia
Musical
Saturday 25th September 2010 at 7pm.
Information
While the Legend of King Arthur often conjures up images from the battles of Camelot, the Knights of the Round Table and Merlin the magician, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs will present the less known historical and musical classic of Henry Purcell’s King Arthur in a fun-filled theatrical concert at the City Recital Hall, Angel Place on Saturday 25 September.
Referred to by some as the very first musical in history, Purcell’s King Arthur is a semi-opera performed in five acts, recounting the chivalric adventures of King Arthur as he rescues his fiancée, the blind Cornish Princess Emmeline, who has been abducted by his arch-enemy the Saxon King Oswald of Kent.
Fresh from a highly successful tour to London where many choristers performed at the opening of the prestigious BBC Proms, the Sydney Philharmonia Chamber Singers have been busy preparing for this witty and wonderful classic tale in a collaboration with Karen Vickery and students from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA).
“Since its premiere in 1691, King Arthur has presented a great challenge to opera directors with it’s somewhat unbelievable plot which has to be “heard” to be believed! But the work itself contains some of Purcell’s best music without a doubt from rollicking farmer’s songs to the highly virtuosic writing in the famous Frost Scene,” said Brett Weymark, Artistic and Musical Director.
“From the heroic battles fought by gallant knights and the curious roles of supernatural characters like Merlin and Cupid, to the witty humour of the script and its political undertones, King Arthur is a classic tale we have all grown up with and we are thrilled to present this old favourite in a theatrical interpretation with very talented singers and musicians.”
The semi-staged production of King Arthur will feature the talents of NIDA students and wonderful solo parts performed by some of Australia’s most renowned singers - Penelope Mills, Karen Fitz-Gibbon, Paul MacMahon, Paul Goodwin-Groen and Christopher Saunders.
Venue
City Recital Hall Angel Place @ 2 Angel Place, Sydney, NSW 2000
Price
$45-$80 (conc. and booking fees apply)
Bookings
Phone (02) 9251 3115