Then this is the deciding day, to fix Great Britains sceptre in great Arthurs hand or put it in the bold invaders gripe. With these words, the first act of King Arthur begins, telling the story of the fight between the British King Arthur and his enemy Oswald, King of the Saxons, for the hand of the beautiful blind Emmeline. King Arthur is one of Henry Purcells five semi-operas: theatre plays with singing. His score contains the most beautiful of his arias and duets, such as Fairest isle and the Cold Genius aria. Vox Luminis, which has also recorded some of Purcells stunning religious music, has made its own adaptation of the text (English spoken).