ABSTRACT
Rutland Boughton's cycle of five music dramas was in every respect a unique undertaking for a British composer. Before examining and assessing it, however, it is necessary to understand something of his character and career. Opportunities for an advanced musical education, or advanced education of any kind, were not available to anyone in Boughton's social stratum. Birmingham provided Boughton with many opportunities for musical development. He proved to be an excellent singing teacher and an outstanding choral conductor, and his work as a composer began to blossom and receive wider recognition. Buckley had begun his 'national drama' in 1904 and by 1906 was sufficiently confident to offer it as a libretto to various operatic companies. In May 1914 Reginald Buckley published the four dramas that make up his Arthurian cycle under the general title Arthur of Britain, the individual dramas being The Birth of Arthur, The Round Table, The Holy Grail, and The Death of Arthur.
