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Purcell's King Arthur

Academy of Ancient Music

,Barbican Hall
Picture of Ray Fearon

Daisy Evans and her team bring you Purcell's Restoration semi-opera, King Arthur, dramatically reimagined for contemporary times.

'What ho! Thou genius of this isle, what ho! Liest thou asleep beneath those hills?'

Spectacular battles rage whilst enchantment and magic glisten beneath the surface; the famous ‘Frost scene’ shivers with Purcell's lyric genius, and the ultimate victory of the Britons over the Saxons concludes with a glorious celebratory masque. Richard Egarr, Ray Fearon and an outstanding cast bring Dryden's words and Purcell's extraordinary music to life in a performance not to be missed.

Surtitles will be displayed.

“Underpinned by the Academy's informed musicianship - the evening was a delightful succession of phantasmagoric tableaux" The Independent review of 2016's The Fairy Queen.

Tagged with: Classical music Academy of Ancient Music 2017–18 Multibuy Academy of Ancient Music 2017–18 More...

6pm Pre-concert talk

Free to ticket-holders

Programme

  • Purcell   King Arthur

Performers

  • Academy of Ancient Music  
  • Choir of the AAM  
  • Richard Egarr   director & harpsichord
  • Daisy Evans   director
  • Ray Fearon   narrator
  • Jake Wiltshire   lighting designer
  • Louise Alder   soprano
  • Mhairi Lawson   soprano
  • Reginald Mobley   countertenor
  • Charles Daniels   tenor
  • Ivan Ludlow   baritone
  • Ashley Riches   bass

The Barbican and Academy of Ancient Music are delighted to announce that Ray Fearon will take the role of Narrator for this performance of King Arthur. Ray Fearon is a renowned actor of both stage and screen and has worked extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company. His recent credits have included Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Macbeth with Kenneth Branagh.

Discover

Download the programme

Click here to download the programme.

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Barbican Hall

Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
​​​​​​​The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.