Purcell's Dido and Aeneas
- Jump to →
- What you'll hear
- All about the music
Pirates. Witches. Bring some tissues.
Who’s on stage
Our very own musical shapeshifters, Royal Northern Sinfonia, prove their adaptability, morphing to adapt to Henry Purcell’s music from the 1600s. Bjarte Eike, known for pushing the boundaries of classical music, leads proceedings and there’s a fabulous cast of singers too.
What they’re playing
We’re going back in time to the 17th century in this show, which has as its star attraction Henry Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas, here expanded by Bjarte with additional music by Purcell and others, folk songs and sea shanties.
Need to know
Discounts: save if you’re under 17, aged 18 – 30, a classical first timer, or a group of 10 or more people. Check the details.
Running time: 2 hours, including a 20 minute interval.
Strobe lighting: will be used in this performance.
Age: under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
What you'll hear
Henry Purcell Dido and Aeneas
Henry Purcell Hornpipe from The Old Batchelor
Henry Purcell If Love’s a Sweet Passion
Henry Purcell There’s not a swain
John Playford Wallom Green
Henry Purcell So when the glitt’ring Queen of Night
Henry Purcell The Hole in the Wall from Abdelazar
Henry Purcell Curtain Tune from Timon of Athens
Henry Purcell Fantasia for Strings in C minor
Henry Purcell Music for a While
Henry Purcell Man that is born of a woman
Traditional The Parting Glass
Traditional Haul Away Joe (Sea Shanty)
Who's playing it
Cast
Katie Bray Dido
Jonathan McGovern Aeneas
Rowan Pierce Belinda
Lea Shaw Sorceress
Myrna Tennant First Witch
Jasmine Flicker Second Woman
Steven Player Sailor/Dancer
Musicians
Bjarte Eike director/violin
Hans Knut Sveen harpsichord/keyboard/harmonium
Fredrik Bock baroque guitar/lute
Thor-Harald Johnsen baroque guitar/lute
Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Creative Team
Bjarte Eike director
Steven Player choreographer
Tim Burke chorus director
Alison Gill chorus accompanist
What's happening in the music?
Henry Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas distills all the ingredients of an opera down, making it all the more intense and dramatic in the process. It’s an opera packed full of good tunes, high drama and of course, a tragic love story. By the end, we defy anyone not to have a tear in their eye.
