by GEORGE WILSON

Conducted by Paul Rimmer

FRANK THOMPSON (Entertainer)

An Opera composed by Henry Purcell
Relayed to Daventry
Artists:
DORIS VANE (Soprano); GLADYS PALMER (Contralto); JOHN ADAMS (Tenor); HERBERT HEYNER (Baritone)
THE BIRMINGHAM STATION ORCHESTRA and Chorus, conducted by Joseph Lewis
Relayed from the Birmingham and Midland Institute

ARGUMENT: The subject-matter of the opera 'King Arthur' is a contest between the Britons, under the leadership of King Arthur, and the Saxon invaders who had settled in Kent, under Oswald. The first scene of Act I. represents the British camp, where preparations are being made to attack the foe. Arthur, betrothed to Emmeline, the blind daughter of the Duke of Cornwall, bids her farewell. The next scene shows us the Saxon camp, with the Army and their leaders sacrificing to the gods Woden, Thor and Freya. (Hero Purcell's vocal music commences.) A Battle ensues, in which the British prevail and sing their song of victory

'Come, If You Dare.' In Act II. the Saxons' employ a magician and his attendant sprites to harass the Britons and lead them astray into bogs and pitfalls. Philidel, one of the attendants repents, and is persuaded by Merlin, a British magician, to transfer her arts to the aid of Arthur and the Britons. The blind Emmeline having been captured by Oswald, the Saxon king, her place of captivity is discovered by Merlin, who sends Philidel to her with a magic liquid which restores her sight. In the meantime, Osmond, the Saxon magician, becomes enamoured of Emmeline, imprisons King Oswald, and, by the exercise of his magic power, displays to Emmeline the force and power of love in the 'Frost Scene' of Act III.
Arthur, marching to destroy Osmond's enchanted grove, is waylaid by syrens and nymphs, but, protected by Philidel, he successfully resists their arts.

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