Purcell: Dido And Aeneas

William Christie, Deborah Warner, Les Arts Florissants

Henry Purcell
Dido & Aeneas

Dido and Aeneas is the only true opera composed by Henry Purcell, a miniature opera of great musical and dramatic richness. It was supposedly created in 1689 at the girls' boarding school that Josias Priest ran in Chelsea. Virgil's eminently political text, The Aeneid, is based on the exploits of the Trojan hero pursued by the Greeks, destined by the gods to found Rome. Dido, the Phoenician princess who became Queen of Carthage, was but one stage on this glorious journey.
The subject of the opera as unfolded in the 17th century is quite different and this is why the scorned woman outshines the man of action A perfect example of betrayed love, Dido has lent inspiration to a hundred or so operas by Western composers, ranging from Cavalli to Britten.
More than any other, this torn character reflects the song from the soul.
Awards
Grand Prix Charles Cros / Choc de Classica / Choix de France Musique / DIAPASON D'OR / ARTE / CHOC de CLASSICA année 2010 / 4 clef Télérama

Price: $45.98