CHECK OUT THE CONCERTS CONTINUO IS SUPPORTING ON CONTINUO CONNECT

ENSEMBLE INFO

Ensemble Contact:

Email:

jmoore@armonico.org.uk

2001

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

In Summer 2026, as part of our 25th birthday season, Armonico Consort and Baroque Players will present a new semi-staged production of Henry Purcell’s King Arthur, building on the outstanding success of the ensemble’s recent Purcell performances, including The Fairy Queen in 2024 and 2025. Those productions attracted large and enthusiastic audiences, earning critical and public praise for their energy, clarity, and emotional immediacy, and demonstrating a strong appetite for inventive, accessible approaches to Baroque opera.

Reimagined in Armonico Consort’s distinctive style - fresh, vibrant, and direct - King Arthur brings together Purcell’s richly expressive music with a newly commissioned script by the acclaimed writer William Towers. Towers’ text retells the legendary story of King Arthur with wit, narrative drive, and emotional warmth, clarifying the drama while preserving its mythic power. This approach makes the work equally rewarding for devoted Purcell enthusiasts and for newcomers, including families and first-time opera-goers encountering Baroque opera for the first time.

The production is directed by Christopher Monks, Armonico Consort’s Founder and Artistic Director and one of the UK’s most imaginative conductors and musical storytellers. Renowned for his ability to combine scholarly insight with a highly communicative performance style, Monks brings a deep understanding of Purcell’s theatrical language and a clear vision for engaging modern audiences. His direction and musical leadership will shape the production as a cohesive dramatic experience, ensuring that Purcell’s music, the spoken narrative, and the semi-staged action work seamlessly together. Armonico’s commitment to breaking down perceived barriers around classical music is central to the project, creating performances that feel welcoming, vivid, and emotionally alive.

Featuring narration by the much-loved broadcaster and writer Oz Clarke the vocal cast includes Hannah Frazer Mackenzie, Laura Moretto, William Towers, William Searle, and Alex Jones, all of whom bring exceptional versatility, characterful performance, and extensive experience in both concert and staged work to this collaborative production. Vocalists will be accompanied by Christopher Monks on the Harpsichord and instrumentalists on violins, viola, cello, trumpets and timpani.

The project will be presented across a short UK tour, reaching diverse audiences in a range of venues, from historic churches to established theatre spaces. Confirmed performances include:
• 18 June 2026, 7:30pm - Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick
• 24 June 2026, 7:30pm - Malvern Theatres, Malvern
• 25 June 2026, 7:30pm - Wyke Manor, Pershore (concert bought in by venue)
• 11 July 2026, 7:30pm - Llandeilo Music Festival, Llandeilo (concert bought in by festival)

​