Though Cupid tries to keep lovers Dido and Aeneas united, Mercury has other plans. He commands Aeneas to leave Carthage and establish a new Trojan kingdom. Will Dido be left hopelessly heartbroken and alone?
The Death of Dido, first performed in 1716, features a delightfully Italianate musical score by Johann Pepush with an English libretto by Barton Booth. The libretto uses the same section of Virgil’s Aeneid as Purcell’s famous 1689 opera Dido and Aeneas, but with a smaller cast of characters. This EMAP production likely marks the first time this work has been performed in North America.
The masque will be preceded by arias and instrumental music from other English theatrical works by Henry Purcell and his contemporaries. The musical selections will introduce the audience to the characters of the masque, setting the scene for the infamous tale to come.
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Earlier Event: January 17
Pepusch: The Death of Dido
Later Event: January 24
Bach: Christmas Oratorio | Handel: Israel in Egypt