Henry Purcell's spectacular semi-opera to a libretto by John Dryden is one of the pinnacles of Radio 3's season marking the tercentenary of Purcell's death. Graham Vick's colourful and imaginative staging of the complete work is a Royal Opera House, Theatre du Chatelet, Theatre de Caen co-production, and has already sold out in performances in Paris and Caen.

King Arthur does battle with troops, magicians and spirits to rescue his fair Emmeline from the scheming Saxon King Oswald. In doing so, he succeeds in uniting all the inhabitants of this celebrated "Fairest Isle".
Cold Genius ...PETTERI SALOMAA (bar)
Cupid .....SUSANNAH WATERS (sop)
Chorus and Orchestra Les Arts Florissants
Conductor, William Christie

Acts 1, 2 and 3

8.35 The Great Fire: Plot or Providence?
There were many explanations for the Great Fire of London, as diverse as they were revealing; John Dryden and Samuel Pepys are just two of the commentators. Dr John Spurr, Lecturer in History, University of Wales, Swansea, discusses the different accounts.

9.00 Acts 4 and 5

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