Dutch National Opera

Opera in Paradiso: Dido and Aeneas

Opera by Henry Purcell performed by the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra and Dutch National Opera Studio
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Dido and Aeneas Paradiso

Dates

2 July 2022

Location

Paradiso, Main hall

Running time

1:00

Tickets

€ 20

Dido and Aeneas

Dido and Aeneas

The opera Dido and Aeneas can be seen in Paradiso on Saturday 2 July. This short opera - it only lasts an hour! - is set in Carthage in North Africa where Aeneas is shipwrecked and steals the heart of Queen Dido. In his masterpiece, composer Henry Purcell knows how to express the unbearable contradictions of human suffering.

Dido and Aeneas

The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra and Dutch National Opera Studio

The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra conducted by Andreas Küppers provides the music; soprano Claire Antoine sings the role of Dido, and baritone Frederik Bergman sings the role of Aeneas. Antoine sings at Dutch National Opera Studio, just like the other singers in this brilliant opera: Maya Gour (mezzo-soprano), Elenora Hu (soprano), Ian Castro (tenor) and Inna Demenkova (soprano). They will be accompanied by the Netherlands Female Youth Choir.

 

Dido and Aeneas by Henry Purcell

In his music, Henry Purcell searches for the tension between duty and passion and between power and powerlessness. In doing so, he tries to both confuse and seduce the listener. Alongside this wonderful music, played by the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, we also hear edited Arabic music by singer Baidar Al Basri, ud player Saif Al-khayyat and percussionist Nora Thiele. The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra is conducted by Andreas Küppers, known for his collaboration with conductor René Jacobs.

Performance information

Conductor  Andreas Küppers

Dido  Claire Antoine
Aeneas  Frederik Bergman
Sorceress  Maya Gour
Second Woman, First Witch  Elenora Hu
Sailor, Second Witch  Ian Castro
Belinda  Inna Demenkova

Vocals  Baidar Al Basri
Ud  Saif Al-khayyat
Percussion  Nora Thiele

Orchestra  Netherlands Chamber Orchestra
Netherlands Female Youth Choir

Dido and Aeneas on NPO Radio 4

Opera in Paradiso: Dido and Aeneas is already sold out, but you can listen to the concert on 9 July on NPO Radio 4 during Hein van Eekert's NTR Opera Live programme. Would you like to get a sneak preview of Dido and Aeneas? Click on the link below for an interview with tenor Ian Castro.

Interview with Ian Castro
Cast
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Scene from Dido and Aeneas | Photo: Eduardus Lee
Nederlands Kamerorkest

Netherlands Chamber Orchestra

Dutch National Opera has a long-standing and proud history with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra | the Nether­lands Chamber Orchestra, which has been its main orchestra partner for the past 30 years. It is widely considered to be one of the best opera orchestras in the world.

© Anna van Kooij

Netherlands Chamber Orchestra

Naturally, it also performs in concerts of its own and then its go-to venue is the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. In addition to its collabo­ration with chief conductor Lorenzo Viotti and music director of the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra Gordan Nikolić, the orchestra regularly works with internationally renowned guest conductors and soloists, as well as a whole new generation of excellent musicians. It has played on countless stages, using music to connect people by giving exceptional performances that inspire both connoisseurs and novices alike. The orches­tra's base is in the warm and welcoming NedPhO-Dome in the ‘lndische Buurt’ in Amsterdam, ensuring it is at the heart of the community. In this way, the orchestra hopes to make classical music more approachable to a wider audience.

Season 2022/23 will see the Dutch Philharmonic Orchestra join us for our season-opener Carmen, as well as for Königs­kinder,    Turandot and Der Rosenkavalier. The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra will provide the orchestral accompani­ment for Animal Farm and Maria Stuarda.

Dutch National Opera Studio is made possible by

Ammodo Van den Ende Foundation Staetshuys Fonds
Pieter Houbolt Fonds