Purcell (1659-1695) - King Arthur : Meunier / Vox Luminis, Junker, Z.Toth, S.True, Weynants (2CD) - Import 2 CD

Credits:

Riccardo Chailly

Description:

The Puritan Revolution took place in England, Scotland, and Ireland between 1642 and 1649. The dictator Oliver Cromwell, who led the Parliamentarians to victory, disliked music and theater, so theatrical performances were banned in England. This ban was lifted in 1660, the year of the restoration of the monarchy. Purcell's "King Arthur," performed in 1691, is a typical example of this genre, in which the dramatic part is a heroic tale of King Arthur, known as the "Knight of the Round Table," and the musical part is a "semi-opera. The musical part is mainly a "hymn to Britannia," so that neither the hero, Arthur, nor his adversary Oswald, nor the blind beauty Emmeline appear in the main body of music. However, the music is beautiful. The enchanting melodies, which incorporate various texts as well as the magic, love, and satirical tales that unfold in the main story, are a joy to listen to.Lionel Meunier and his ensemble, "Vox Luminis", have successfully performed the piece in numerous performances prior to recording and presenting this album, which is sure to captivate audiences with its flawless performance. Naxos Japan

Purcell Collection List