Purcell - Dido & Aeneas

Henry Purcell’s imaginative Baroque masterpiece sets to music Virgil’s story of doomed love between Dido, Queen of Carthage, and the Trojan prince, Aeneas. The opera has everything from agonised desire to rum wit – and eventually, tragedy. Nicholas McGegan’s historically sympathetic interpretation makes for a near-ideal recording, boasting vivid colours and textures, and an outstandingly strong cast headed by the much-missed Lorraine Hunt Lieberson as Dido.

Dido relents

Act I begins with Dido torn between fidelity to her late husband and her feelings for Aeneas. Belinda, her lady-in-waiting, leads other courtiers in urging their queen to let passion for Aeneas reign. The prince also calls for Dido’s succumbing – but her resistance is not ended until Lisa Saffer (as Belinda) sings the words, “Her eyes confess the flame her tongue denies” (T7-0:19~0:30). The court rejoices, and there is dancing.

Dido sans Aeneas

Set in a wicked Sorceress’ cave, Act II’s first part opens with a convincing roll of thunder (created by a specially made “thunder box”, like those used in 17th and 18th century theatres). With two enchantresses and an evil hoard, the Sorceress plots to trick Aeneas into leaving Carthage at once – pressing him on to fulfil his destiny to found Rome, thus denying he and Dido their love.

Purcell cleverly simulates an echo in the cave by having the hoard sing loudly, then softly, the words of the chorus, “In our deep vaulted cell” (T12-0:00~0:57). 

The second part of Act II sees the royal party on a hunt in a grove. But their sport is spoiled by a storm – unleashed by the witches’ spell. While the party shelters, Aeneas meets the Sorceress’ elf (disguised as Mercury, Messenger of the Gods), who tells him to sail for Italy immediately.

Dido laments

In Carthage’s harbour at the start of Act III, Aeneas’ crew prepares to sail. Paul Elliott gives us an earthy performance of “Come away, fellow sailors” (T20-0:29~0:57) – a sea shanty in all but name – urging his seamen to take leave of their “nymphs on the shore” and “silence their mourning with vows of returning” … knowing full well he and the crew won’t be back. The sailors chorus Elliott’s song, then begin to dance. The witches, too, celebrate triumph at separating the royal lovers.

Act III’s concluding half has Aeneas explaining to Dido the heaven-sent nature of his departure. Seeing his lover distressed at the news, he promises half-heartedly to stay and defy his fate. But Dido is heartbroken and insists he leave.

She then says goodbye to Belinda and takes her own life, as she sings the famous “Dido’s Lament” – also known as “When I Am Laid In Earth” (T27-1:07). Hunt Lieberson delivers the words “Remember me, but ah! forget my fate” with a resignation that recalls the singer’s own untimely death. Not that hers is a voice so easily forgotten.