A monumental work in Baroque opera, Dido and Aeneas is remembered as one of Henry Purcell’s foremost theatrical works. An opera in a prologue and three acts, with a libretto by Nahum Tate, the story is based on Book IV of Virgil’s Aeneid. It recounts the love of Dido, Queen of Carthage, for the Trojan hero Aeneas, and her despair when he abandons her.
Generally considered to be one of the greatest English composers, Purcell was extremely prolific. In addition to Dido and Aeneas, he composed more than 100 songs and wrote incidental music to a version of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream called The Fairy Queen. Purcell's musical style was certainly English, though he incorporated Italian and French elements.
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Earlier Event: June 3
J. S. Bach: BWV 9, "Es ist das Heil uns kommen her"
Later Event: June 4
G. F. Handel: HWV 252, "My song shall be alway"