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Dido and Aeneas: A funeral for the Queen of Carthage

Academy of Ancient Music

,Barbican Hall
Portrait of Caitlin Hulcup

Visionary director Thomas Guthrie presents a new semi-staged production of Purcell’s poignant tale of love and loss, widely regarded as the greatest English opera of its time.

Retelling Virgil’s heart-breaking tale of Queen Dido of Carthage and Prince Aeneas of Troy, the opera contains some of Purcell’s most memorable music, from the raw emotional power of Dido’s deeply moving lament ‘When I am laid in earth’, to catchy sailors’ songs and graceful dances.

Expanding on the tragic fate of Purcell’s most courageous heroine, Guthrie precedes the opera with an imagined funeral for the late Queen, accompanied by a selection of other beautiful music by this great English composer.

Tagged with: Classical music Drama of the Baroque Academy of Ancient Music 2018–19 More...

Produced by the Barbican and Academy of Ancient Music

Programme

  • Purcell   Selected extracts
  • Purcell   Dido and Aeneas

Performers

  • Academy of Ancient Music  
  • Choir of AAM  
  • Richard Egarr   director & harpsichord
  • Thomas Guthrie   director
  • Caitlin Hulcup*   Dido
  • Ashley Riches   Aeneas
  • Rowan Pierce   Belinda
  • Neal Davies   Sorcerer

*We regret that due to a family bereavement Christine Rice is unable to perform the role of Dido on Tuesday 2 October. 

We are grateful to Caitlin Hulcup who has agreed to perform the role in her place.

Australian mezzo-soprano Caitlin Hulcup has appeared at the world’s leading opera houses. Recently, she has appeared as Aristeo in Rossi’s Orpheus in a co-production of The Royal Opera with Shakespeare’s Globe, in the title role of Gluck’s Orfeo and as Ariodante for Scottish Opera, and as Idamante in Idomeneo for Garsington Opera. She is professor of singing at the Royal Academy of Music and a visiting academic to the University of Melbourne. 

Pre-concert talk 6.30pm

Free to ticket-holders

Download the programme

Click here to download a free copy of the programme.

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Illustration of two people

Opera Strip: Dido and Aeneas

Widely regarded as the greatest English opera of its time, illustrator Will Elliot creates an illustrated synopsis of Purcell’s poignant tale of love and loss, ahead of the Academy of Ancient Music's performance.

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Barbican Hall

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The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

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