DIDO & AENEAS Purcell – Gran Teatre del Liceu

Dido, founder and queen of Carthage, falls in love with the Trojan hero Aeneas and they conduct a passionate affair. Tricked into leaving Dido by an evil Sorceress, Aeneas prepares his fleet in secret for departure. Dido cannot live without Aeneas and sings her great lament (‘When I am laid in earth’) and her passing is mourned by a chorus of cupids. It is highly unusual for a baroque opera to end tragically and, 300 years after its premiere, Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas still has the power to move, with its message about love and loss. Purcell’s exquisite music offers contrasting moods, ranging from Dido’s heartbreaking lament, via the darker tones of the witches, to the lively songs and dances of the sailors. The Liceu’s striking opera and dance production is directed by Blanca Li, who uses choreography to echo the main characters’ struggles to keep their passions in check. William Christie, pioneer of period instruments and renowned specialist in baroque repertoire, conducts his ensemble Les Arts Florissants promising a sensitive and unconventional production from Barcelona. Full performance streamed on OperaVision from 14 July 2023 at 19:00 CET to 14 January 2024: CAST Dido Kate Lindsey Aeneas Renato Dolcini Sorceress Renato Dolcini Belinda Ana Vieira Leite First Witch Maud Gnidzaz Second Witch, Second Woman Virginie Thomas Sailor Jacob Lawrence Spirit Michael Loughlin Smith Dancers Blanca Li Company Chorus Padraic Rowan Christophe Gautier Bastien Rimondi Daniel Brant Orchestra Les Arts Florissants Music Henry Purcell Text Nahum Tate based on Book VI of Virgil’s ‘Aeneid’ Conductor William Christie Director and Choreographer Blanca Li Sets Evi Keller Dramaturgy Pierre Attrait Costumes Laurent Mercier Costume-sculptures of the soloists Evi Keller Lighting Pascal Laajili OperaVision is a freeview opera streaming platform, supported by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme. Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision. WEBSITE: FACEBOOK: TWITTER: INSTAGRAM: TIKTOK: @operavision