Organization

Singer

Soprano

Carolyn Sampson

Dido

Tenor

Roderick Williams

Aeneas

Mezzo-soprano

Robin Blaze

Sorceress

Rebecca Outram

Belinda

Charles Daniels

First sailor

Conductor

Robert King

Julie Cooper

Second woman

First witch

MusikTheater an der Wien

Orchestra

The King's Consort

English

Dido and Aeneas

Vienna

Austria

Theater an der Wien

Approved

Henry Purcell was revered as "Orpheus britannicus" during his lifetime and was a sought-after composer of drama music. Together with Nahum Tate, who also came from theater circles, he wrote only one opera, but with Dido and Aeneas he created one of the most important works of the Baroque as early as the end of the 17th century. The three-act libretto is based on one of the most famous love stories in literature. The legendary Carthaginian queen Dido has fallen in love with the hero Aeneas. But the happy union of lovers is prevented by evil witches with cunning. A bogus command from the gods causes Aeneas to leave Dido, allegedly to found a new Troy in Italy. But Dido cannot live without Aeneas, she wants to die when he leaves.
Assumptions and legends shape the genesis and early performances of the opera. The first demonstrable performance took place in Josias Priest's boarding school for "Gentlewomen" in Chelsea. However, musicology is reluctant to be satisfied with the fact that such an important opera was written for a girls' school and suspects an earlier presentation at court. So far, however, no further performance during Purcell's lifetime has been proven with certainty.

Dido and Aeneas by Purcell, From (2013/2013), Conductor Robert King, Theater an der Wien, Vienna, Austria

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Ensemble

Program, About & Synopsis

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues