Dido & Aeneas

Glorious Revolution Baroque presents this opera in an intimate setting at Studio Z in St. Paul, MN with David Douglass leading our esteemed instrumentalists.  Join us for one night only, Friday May 16th for an evening of delightful music by some of the Twin Cities most talented musicians.

Tickets are available online at Studio Z’s website

Here’s a little more info on the history and cast in this piece:

The Opera:

Henry Purcell (c. 1659 – November 21, 1695) composed Dido and Aeneas, a three-act English tragedy opera. The libretto was written by Nahum Tate in English, based on the Aeneid of Virgil. It was premiered in London, at Josias Priest’s School for Young Gentlewomen, on December 1689. The setting is in Carthage after the Trojan War.
The Characters:

Belinda (soprano) – Carrie Henneman Shaw

Dido (soprano) – Ellen Hargas

Aeneas (tenor or high baritone) – Tim O’Brien

Sorceress (mezzo) – Lisa Drew

Second woman/Venus (mezzo) – Kim Sueoka

First witch/First woman (soprano) – Kim Sueoka

Second witch (soprano) – Linda Kachelmeier

Plot Summary / Synopses of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas
Prologue

Over the sea. The dance of the Tritons, nymphs and shepherds. The sphepherds, shepherdesses and nymphs welcome love and celebrate spring with joy.

Act 1. At the Palace

Dance of Dido’s Attendants

Dido’s confidante, Belinda, and her ladies-in-waiting assure her Aeneas loves her in return.

Act 2. At the Cave

Dance of sailors, enchantresses and fairies. Dance of Dido’s attendants to entertain.

A sorceress, jealous of Dido, plans to trick Aeneas into deserting Dido. The sorceress plans up a storm. Appearing to Aeneas in the likeness of Mercury, she orders him to sail for Italy instead.

Act 3. The Ships

Dance of sailors and enchantresses. Dance of Cupid.

The sorceress and her cohorts dance in triumph as they watch Aeneas prepare to depart. Aeneas offers to stay, but Dido sends him away. Hopeless, she surrenders to death.