An Opera by HENRY PURCELL
From Birmingham
Chorus of Courtiers and People,Warriors, Hunters and Sailors
THE BIRMINGHAM STUDIO CHORUS
THE BIRMINGHAM STUDIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (Leader, FRANK CANTELL ). Conducted by JOSEPH LEWIS
Act I. The Royal Palace in Carthage (enter
Dido, Belinda, and their train)
Act 11. The Grove (enter Æneas, Dido, Belinda, and their train)
Act III. The Ships (enter the Sailors)
THE opera consists of Recitatives, Airs,
Duets, Choruses and Daneo Music.
There is no spoken dialogue ; all the words are set to music.
The plot, very briefly, runs thus :-
ACT I.
Æneas, while oh a voyage, is driven by a storm on to the coast of Africa. He is welcomed by Dido, who languishes for love of him.
ACT II.
A spiteful witch, who hates the Queen, plans to send to the Prince n messenger, who shall pretend to come from Jove himself, and shall command Æneas to depart from Carthage at once. The plot is carried out. Æneas is about to set sail.
ACT III.
The witch sings her triumph. Dido is broken-hearted at Æneas' desertion and has caused her funeral pile to be prepared. Though he is willing to risk Jove's displeasure by staying, she bitterly rejects his offer, declaring that ' No repentance shall reclaim the injured Dido's slighted flame.'
He goes, and she stabs herself upon the funeral pile, which then consumes her body.
Her final Air is one of Purell's supremely imaginative expressions of emotion. Nothing could be more simple, impressive and touching.