Performance information

Voorstellingsinformatie

Dido and Aeneas in concert

Duration
1 hour, no interval

This performance is sung in English, with surtitles in Dutch (based on the libretto translation by Janneke vander Meulen) and English.

Music
Henry Purcell

Libretto
Nahum Tate

Musical additions
Henry Purcell: When Orpheus sang (from Celestial Music did the Gods Inspire), The Gordian Knot Untied (overture), Pavan and Chaconne

Musical direction
Camille Delaforge
Mise en espace
Rosemary Joshua
Costume design
Jojanneke Gremmen
Lighting design
Peter van der Sluis
Dramaturgy
Jasmijn van Wijnen

Dido
Martina Myskohlid
Aeneas
Leander Carlier
Belinda
Franciana Nogues
Second Woman/First Witch/Spirit
Sophia Hunt
Sorceress
Polly Leech
Second Witch
Rita Fernandez
First Sailor
Salvador Villanueva Zuzuarregui

DNO Young Baroque Voices
Chorus master
Edward Ananian-Cooper

Netherlands Chamber Orchestra / Ensemble Il Caravaggio

Production team

Assistant conductor
Edward Ananian-Cooper
Movement coach
Evert Bakker
Supervisor
William Kelley
Rehearsal pianist
Daniel Ruiz de Cenzano Caballero
Stage managers
Roland Lammers van Toorenburg
Lucia van der Pasch
Artistic planning
Laurens Wolf van Alkemade
Master carpenter
Peter Brem
Lighting manager
Peter van der Sluis
Props manager
Niko Groot
Costume supervision
Lars Willhausen
First dresser
Jenny Henger
First make-up artist
Alina Gundacker
Sound technician
Juan Verdaguer
Surtitle director and operator
Eveline Karssen
Orchestra inspector
Jurrien Loman
Senior music librarian
Rudolf Weges
Production management
Lotte Heeman

DNO Young Baroque Voices

Sopranos
Elles Venhuizen
Ruoran Ma
Laia López Ramírez
Sam Cobb
Estelle de Koning

Mezzo-sopranos / countertenors
Hanno Egger
Jasperina Verheij
Erjan van der Velde
Eve Rhodes
Héloïse Godefroi

Tenors
Afonso Santos
Cheuk Lun Joshua
Alejandro
Barrientos-Rupérez

Basses
Trevor Brown
Jitze van der Land

Netherlands Chamber Orchestra / Ensemble Il Caravaggio

First violin
Evgeny Sviridov
Tijmen Huisingh
Maaike Aarts
Beverley Lunt
Philip Dingenen
Melissa Ussery

Second violin
Bas Treub
Olga Caceanova
Léa Al-Saghir
Zen Hu-Gothoni
Nadia ten Kate

Viola
Simone van der Giessen
Berdien Vrijland
Liselot Blomaard
Gijs Kramers

Cello
Sietse-Jan Weijenberg*
Wijnand Hulst
Giorgos Kotsiolis

Double bass
Annette Zahn

Oboe
Jeroen Soors
Jonas Schoups

Percussion
Sylvain Fabre

Viola da gamba
Jérôme Huille*

Lute
Benjamin Narvey*

Harpsichord
Camille Delaforge*
Brice Sailly*

*Basso continuo of Ensemble Il Caravaggio

Camille Delaforge during a rehearsa
Camille Delaforge during a rehearsal | Photo: Michel Schnater

The story

The love between Queen Dido and the Trojan prince Aeneas comes under pressure when divine forces and dark intrigues cross their path. What begins as a promising union ultimately leads to an inevitable farewell.

The story

I

Dido, queen of Carthage, is wrestling with her love for the Trojan prince Aeneas, who has sought refuge in her city. Dido is reluctant to give in to her feelings out of fear of the gods and respect for her deceased husband. Her confidante Belinda, however, urges her on, assuring her that Aeneas will answer her love. The other courtiers are also in favour of the relationship, which they believe will strengthen the position of Carthage. When Aeneas visits the queen, he declares his love for her. Dido hesitates at first but eventually answers his feelings. The people celebrate their love affair.

II

An angry sorceress and her witches want to drive Dido and Aeneas apart so that they can destroy Carthage. While Dido and Aeneas are in a wood with their entourage, the witches call up a storm that forces them to return to the palace. The witches send a spirit to Aeneas in the shape of the divine messenger Mercury, to tell him supposedly in the name of the supreme god Jupiter that he should leave Carthage and found a new Troy elsewhere. Aeneas has no option but to obey the god’s command. He decides to leave but fears Dido’s response. How should he explain his sudden departure to her?

III

Preparations are made for Aeneas’ departure. His men take leave of their own lovers in the knowledge they will never see one another again. The witches gloat over the final stages of their plan: that very night, Dido will die and Carthage will go up in flames. What is more, Aeneas’ ship will be destroyed. When Aeneas tells Dido he has to leave, she is distraught. She feels she has been deceived. But when Aeneas then seems ready to reject Jupiter’s orders after all and stay, Dido chases him away. She sees no way out other than death, and she takes leave of Belinda with great sadness. Dido dies, and the people pay her their last respects.

Leander Carlier (Aeneas) during a rehearsal
Leander Carlier (Aeneas) during a rehearsal | Photo: Michel Schnater

Opera in concert

In partnership with Opera Zuid and Nederlandse Reisopera, Dutch National Opera is presenting Dido and Aeneas as an opera in concert. The dramatic developments will be reinforced by a mise en espace (the placement of the singers in the space) and the costume and lighting design. After two performances at the home of Dutch National Opera & Ballet, the production will travel to Arnhem, Enschede and Heerlen.

Opera in concert

In partnership with Opera Zuid and Nederlandse Reisopera, Dutch National Opera is presenting Dido and Aeneas as an opera in concert. The dramatic developments will be reinforced by a mise en espace (the placement of the singers in the space) and the costume and lighting design. After two performances at the home of Dutch National Opera & Ballet, the production will travel to Arnhem, Enschede and Heerlen.

This production is focused on talent development. Under Rosemary Joshua as the artistic director, the cast was recruited from members and alumni of Dutch National Opera Studio together with other promising and talented young singers. In addition, Joshua and Edward Ananian-Cooper (master of the Chorus of Dutch National Opera) have put together DNO Young Baroque Voices, an ensemble consisting of singing students from various Dutch conservatoires. 

The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, with the enthusiastic French conductor, harpsichordist and baroque specialist Camille Delaforge at the helm and with the continuo of her own Ensemble Il Caravaggio, will be bringing Purcell’s colourful score to life together with the young singers. There will also be dance music by Purcell in the interludes. The evening will open with a song by Purcell, ‘When Orpheus sang’, about the mythical singer Orpheus who was able to enchant nature and even the powerful gods through the power of his music.

Martina Myskohlid (Dido) during a rehearsal
Martina Myskohlid (Dido) during a rehearsal | Photo: Michel Schnater
Franciana Nogues (Belinda) during a rehearsal
Franciana Nogues (Belinda) during a rehearsal | Photo: Michel Schnater

Dutch National Opera

Dutch National Opera is known for its diverse programming of both classical and modern operas and the consistently high standard of its performances. It is keeping this art form fighting fit for the future with innovative productions, new compositions commissioned by Dutch National Opera and fresh takes on familiar works in the repertoire. It frequently has co-productions with leading international opera companies. Since September 2018, Sophie de Lint has been the director of Dutch National Opera.

Dutch National Opera Studio

Dutch National Opera Studio runs a two-year programme that prepares young singers and repetiteurs for international operatic careers. The Opera Studio combines workshops and coaching with a diverse range of opportunities for professional experience, including productions on Dutch National Opera’s main stage. The Opera Studio started in 2018. The internationally acclaimed soprano Rosemary Joshua is the artistic leader.

Opera Zuid

A bold opera company with a vision. 

Opera Zuid is more than just an opera company; it is a source of innovation, a bridge between tradition and innovation and a motor driving social engagement. Opera Zuid not only stages awe-inspiring operas but also brings people, ideas and generations together.

Nederlandse Reisopera

Nederlandse Reisopera believes in the power of opera, as an art form that is constantly renewing itself, to bring people together. Nederlandse Reisopera is the largest travelling opera company in the Netherlands and has been bringing high-quality opera productions to the people for seventy years. In its anniversary season 2025/2026, it will be presenting two world premieres, Second Love and To Die For [A Comedy]. It will also put on The Cunning Little Vixen in a new Dutch translation by Jibbe Willems.