Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Suite

Compose Date

:

1937

Average_duration

:

22:01

King Arthur is an opera composed by Benjamin Britten in 1949. The opera premiered on May 10, 1962, at the Royal Opera House in London. The libretto was written by Britten's frequent collaborator, poet W.H. Auden, and the opera was directed by John Gielgud. The opera is divided into five acts, each with multiple scenes. The first act, "Night," sets the scene for the opera with a chorus of spirits and a solo from the character of the Cold Genius. The second act, "The Prophecy," introduces King Arthur and his knights, as well as the sorceress, Morgan Le Fay. The third act, "The Round Table," features a tournament and a love triangle between Arthur, his queen, Guinevere, and the knight, Lancelot. The fourth act, "The Battle," depicts the war between Arthur and his enemy, the Saxon king, Oswald. The final act, "The Fairies," sees Arthur's death and his journey to the fairy realm. The opera is characterized by Britten's use of a variety of musical styles, including folk songs, hymns, and baroque music. The score also features a prominent use of percussion, including timpani, xylophone, and glockenspiel. The opera is notable for its use of spoken dialogue, which is interspersed throughout the musical numbers. King Arthur is also known for its elaborate staging, which includes a large cast of singers, dancers, and actors, as well as elaborate sets and costumes. The opera features a number of memorable scenes, including the Cold Genius's aria, "What Power Art Thou," and the chorus of fairies in the final act. Overall, King Arthur is a complex and ambitious work that showcases Britten's skill as a composer and his ability to blend a variety of musical styles into a cohesive whole. The opera remains a popular work in the repertoire and is frequently performed by opera companies around the world.

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