Edward Elgar : Caractacus- " Watchmen, alert! the King is here", David Wilson-Johnson Video

Sir Edwrd Elgar (1857-1934) Caractacus Op. 35 . A cantata in six scenes for soprano, tenor, baritone and two bass soloists, full choir and orchestra. Libretto by HA Acworth. First performance in 1898 Eigen : Judith Howarth, soprano Orbin : Arthur Davis, tenor Caractacus : David Wilson-Johnson, baritone Arch-Druid / A bard : Stephen Roberts, bass Claudius : Alastair Miles, bass London Symphony Chorus (Stephen Westrop, chorus master) London Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Richard Hickox "According to legend, Caractacus, a British chieftain, had made his last stand against the Romans and been defected on the Malvern Hills. He and his soldiers were taken to Rome where the Emperor Claudius was so impressed by the British leader's eloquence that he spares and pardoned them. (1993 Michael Kennedy,CD Chandos)" Scene I - British camp on the Malvern Hills, Night 2) Caractacus: "Watchmen, alert! the King is here, Your weary brethren sluber near; Well rest ye on your batter'd shields, O heroes of a hundred fields; (...)