Purcell | King Arthur
Saison
2026/2027
Purcell's opera in concert version, preceded by Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary
Semi-opera in five acts with a libretto by John Dryden. Premiered in London in 1691.
Distribution
Olivia Doray soprano
Floriane Hasler mezzo-soprano
Cyril Auvity haute-contre
Victor Sicard baritone
Andreas Wolf (Nov 25) bass
Le Concert Spirituel choir and orchestra
Hervé Niquet adaptation and conductor
Program
Henry Purcell
Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary (1695)
- March
- Man that is born of a woman
- In the midst of life we are in death
- Canzona
- Thou knowest, Lord the secrets of our hearts
King Arthur (1691)
Production
Co-produced by Le Concert Spirituel and Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
Duration
1h15
no intermission
Photo credit
Graphic design by Christelle Tea
Additional information
Sung in English, with French and English surtitles
"Music and poetry have always been considered sisters walking hand in hand. Just as poetry is the harmony of words, music is the harmony of sounds.
Both are excellent in their respective fields, but they will never reach perfection unless they unite. Together, they become like the beauty and the soul of one and the same person."
Henry Purcell
A magnificent Baroque work by Henry Purcell, with a rich plot and colorful characters, King Arthur has enjoyed considerable success since its premiere in 1690.
Brilliantly performed by the ensembles of Hervé Niquet—one of the masters of this repertoire at the helm of Le Concert Spirituel, who has toured the staged version as far as Japan—this work is finally being presented in a concert version starting in the 2025/26 season.
