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Dido & Aeneas

Dido and Aeneas is an opera in a prologue and three acts, written by the English Baroque composer Henry Purcell with a libretto by Nahum Tate. The first known performance was at Josias Priest's girls' school in London somewhere around  1688. The story is based on Book IV of Virgil'sAeneid. It recounts the love of Dido, Queen of Carthage, for the Trojan hero Aeneas, and her despair when he abandons her. A monumental work in Baroque opera, Dido and Aeneas is remembered as one of Purcell's foremost theatrical works.It was also Purcell's first opera, as well as his only all-sung dramatic work. One of the earliest English operas, it owes much to John Blow's Venus and Adonis, both in structure and in overall effect.

The Trojans are preparing for their departure. The witches rejoice when they see the disconsolate Queen. Dido feels that the Gods have punished her with Aeneas´faithlessness because she broke her vow; she refuses Aeneas´ offer to stay. The lovers accept the fate that has failed to respect their innermost desires and sacrifice their love. Belinda is unable to comfort. Aeneas sets sail with his comrades. Dido dies.