King Arthur, His Magical Journey (1989)
A Dramatic Entertainment in Two Acts
Music by Henry Purcell
Edited and adapted by Colin Graham from the original opera by John Dryden
Music realized by Philip Ledger
By arrangement with G. Schirmer, Inc., U.S. agents for Faber Music Limited, London, publisher and copyright owner.
King Arthur was first performed in 1691 at the Dorset Gardens Theatre, London. This version was commissioned by the English Opera Group and first presented at the Norwich Triennial Festival on October 19, 1970.
Dates of Performance
June 8, 11, 14, 16, 20, 24
1989 Season
The Merry Widow   Werther
King Arthur   Under the Double Moon
Photo Gallery
Cast
Mark S. Doss
Merlin
Thomas Drake
Trumpeter
Gary Smith
Trumpeter
Kurt Ollman
Arthur, King of Britain
Carl Halvorson
Oswald, King of Saxony
Gordon Holleman
Guillamar
Sylvia McNair
Emmeline
Stephen Meyer
Conon
Brad Cresswell
Aurelius
Kurt Link
Grimbald
Elisabeth Comeaux
Philidel
Kristine Jepson
Matilda
Lisa R . Pierce
Shepherdess
Sheryl Start
Shepherdess
Joseph A. Fosselman
A Shepherd
Terry Chasteen
Soldier
Fredric Scheff
Soldier
Lawrence Mudd
Soldier
Rebecca Abram
Cupid
Eileen L. Strempel
Siren
Patti Yvonne Edwards
Siren
Gale Oxley
A Sylvan
Molly Meehan
Britannia
Creative Team
Stephen Lord
Conductor
Colin Graham
Stage Director & Set Designer
John Carver Sullivan
Costume Designer
Robert Wierzel
Lighting Designer
Kimberly Mackin
Choreographer
Cary John Franklin
Chorus Master
Bruce Longworth
Assistant Stage Director
Barbara Donner
Stage Manager
Jenny Wells
Assistant Stage Manager
Tom Watson
Wig Master & Makeup
John Keene
Repetiteur
Jeffrey Huard
Harpsichord
Savely Schuster
Cello
Henry Loew
Double Bass
Robert Mottl
Bassoon
Synopsis
The action takes place in Britain, in the Time of Chivalry
PROLOGUE
In which Merlin conjures up a Spirit of Chivalry
ACT ONE
Scene One
Arthur’s Camp
In which Lovers are parted and Battle is joined
Scene Two
A Desert Place
In which an Earthy Spirit is raised to assist the Invader
Scene Three
The Battlefield
In which the Invader is repelled
Scene Four
A Boggy Place
In which the Spirits of the Air save Arthur and his Men from a Damp Grave
Scene Five
A Grove near Arthur’s Camp
In which Innocence is abducted and Love enraged
ACT TWO
Scene One
Oswald’s Camp
In which Virtue is assailed without Success
Scene Two
Arthur’s Camp, with a Vision of Emmeline
In which Patience and Virtue are rewarded by the Stars and Sight is restored
Scene Three
An Enchanted Bower
In which more. Treachery and Enchantments lead to…
Scene Four
A Prospect of Winter
In which False Visions are unsuccessful in their Enterprise
Scene Five
The Enchanted Grove
In which Treachery and Sorcery are punished and Love is restored to its Throne
EPILOGUE
A Vision of Britain
KING ARTHUR is the fourth production of a six-year cycle of neglected masterpieces funded by a major gift from Emerson Electric Co.
Sets, costumes and stage properties have been underwritten by a deeply appreciated gift from an anonymous donor.
The services of the St. Louis Symphony have been generously underwritten by Mr. & Mrs. Joseph 0. Losos.
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