Purcell’s Opera in Concert – Dido and Aeneas

Presented by Early Music Vancouver

One of the best-loved and well-known of all English operas, Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas tells the tragic tale of Queen Dido’s love and subsequent abandonment by the Trojan hero, Aeneas.

Full of expressive arias, memorable choruses, and humorous moments, it is an acknowledged masterpiece. The finale, “Dido’s Lament”, is one of the most recognizable and moving scenes in the history of opera.

This performance will be paired with Come Ye Sons of Art, a musical ode written by Purcell in 1694 to celebrate the birthday of Queen Mary II of England.

With Monica Whicher, Dido: soprano; Sumner Thompson, Aeneas: baritone; Charles Daniels, soloist; Reginald L. Mobley, soloist; Pascale Beaudin, soloist; Jacqueline Woodley, soloist; Catherine Webster, soloist; Alexander Weimann, music director; and the EMV Festival Baroque Orchestra and Chorus.

Pre-concert discussion in the Royal Bank Cinema at the Chan Centre at 6:45pm.