Saturday 1 October 2022 from 3pm to 4:30pm Saturday 1 October 2022 from 7:30pm to 9pm Sunday 2 October 2022 from 3pm to 4:30pm
Sorrow. Passion. Death.
Dido and Aeneas, which recounts the legendary loves of the title characters as told by Virgil, is widely regarded as the first work of English opera. Join Concordia Ensemble for their long-awaited staged production of this well-loved work by Henry Purcell.
This staged and orchestrated performance of Purcell's work, will be accompanied by a newly commissioned prologue by Ben Fan. Dido and Aeneas was originally performed with a prologue, however, the music was lost. Ben Fan will attempt to re-envision the original text left by the librettist, Nahum Tate, taking inspiration from the opera.
Concordia Ensemble will join with Sydney Concert Orchestra for their first collaboration, under the baton of Omid Moheb Zadeh, with professional young singers, and talented students from the Sydney Conservatorium.
The opera opens with the forlorn Dido, who is still mourning the death of her husband. Her sister, Belinda, convinces her that she must finally let go of his death many years prior, and look to Aeneas, who will help secure her new kingdom of Carthage. Dido is quite taken by Aeneas, and a passionate love affair soon ensues. Seeing her with Aeneas, the witches begin to plot Dido's downfall.