Saved events

Dido and Aeneas

Il Pomo d'Oro, Joyce DiDonato and Fatma Said

,Hall
Side profile of Joyce DiDonato with her hands clasped and raised upwards

A sumptuous pairing of Baroque masterpieces featuring an all-star cast conducted by Maxim Emelyanychev, with Joyce DiDonato and Andrew Staples as the ill-fated lovers in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.

Like a 17th-century Good Omens, Carissimi’s Jepthe explores themes of good and evil, hope and sacrifice. Andrew Staples takes the title role before transforming into Aeneas for a concert performance of Purcell’s heartrending opera, which reaches its climax with Joyce DiDonato singing ‘Dido’s Lament’. They are joined by the il Pomo d’Oro ensemble and choir, and by soloists including Fatma Said, Beth Taylor and Hugh Cutting.

Joyce DiDonato is one of the world’s finest opera singers, earning particular praise for her interpretations of Baroque music: ‘definitive … hair-raising intimacy and softness’ (OperaBase). Fatma Said is ‘flawless, radiant … a discovery’ (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung), while Hugh Cutting is the first countertenor both to win the Kathleen Ferrier Award and to become a BBC New Generation Artist.

Tagged with: Classical music Barbican Presents

Running time: approximately 110 minutes, with 20 minute interval

Produced by the Barbican

Programme

  • Giacomo Carissimi   Jephte
  • Henry Purcell   Dido and Aeneas

Performers

  • Il Pomo d'Oro  
  • Maxim Emelyanychev   conductor
  • Andrew Staples   Jephte and Aeneas
  • Carlotta Colombo   Figlia and Second Woman
  • Joyce DiDonato   Dido
  • Fatma Said   Belinda
  • Beth Taylor   Sorceress
  • Hugh Cutting   Spirit
  • Massimo Altieri   Sailor
  • Alena Dantcheva   First Enchantress
  • Anna Piroli   Second Enchantress
  • Il Pomo d'Oro Choir  
  • Singers from Il Pomo d'Oro Choir   Jephte small roles

Digital programme

Joyce DiDonato leaning against a building with her eyes closed

Dido and Aeneas

Read our free digital programme to find out more about the music in tonight's concert: two Baroque tragedies that share tales of love and sacrifice.

Read the programme

You might also like...

Hall

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

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
​​​​​​​The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.