OVERVIEW

Libretto of Dido and Aeneas by Nahum Tate (1652–1715) based on his tragedy Brutus of Alba, or, the Enchanted Lovers from 1678 and inspired by the fourth book of the epic Aeneis by Publius Vergil Maro (70 BC - 19 BC)

Musical preparation Jiří Habart
Stage director Jiří Nekvasil

The fourth collaboration within the framework of the OAO project brings together two exceptional works from the early days of opera in one evening. The performance begins with Monteverdi's The Ballet of the Female Ingrates composed for the wedding of the Duke of Mantua's son. The gloomy ancient theme set before the gates of the underworld evolved into a work that is a cross-section of ballet and opera. It was subsequently published in the composer’s The Eighth Book of Madrigals. The second title of the evening—Dido and Aeneas—is the most famous opera not only in Henry Purcell’s repertoire but in the English Baroque repertoire in general. The composer created the work for a girls' school, which clarifies why it is a chamber work. The subject is the tragic love story of Dido, Queen of Carthage, and Aeneas, Prince of Troy, and mythical founder of the Roman nation. Both titles will be presented on our stage for the first time.

Performed in the Italian and English original.