Henry Purcell’s famous opera on the love story between Dido and Trojan hero Aeneas is set to take over Sydney, with Opera Australia (OA) presenting an Opera Queensland production mixing opera and acrobatics together to deliver a thrilling show.
The production, directed by Yaron Lifschitz, Artistic Director of the widely acclaimed acrobatic troupe Circa, heads to Sydney from 13-29 March where it will be performed at the Joan Sutherland Theatre.
The show is the second by Lifschitz with a Greek theme, having previously directed the highly praised production of ‘Orpheus & Eurydice’ in a contemporary operatic retelling of the ancient Greek myth.
‘Dido & Aeneas’, penned by English Baroque composer Purcell in the late 17th century, is considered one of the most poignant Baroque scores and laid the foundation for every opera that came after.
Erin Helyard, Artistic Director of Pinchgut Opera, will share the podium with British Maestro Chad Kelly to conduct the acclaimed OA Orchestra through the Baroque score, including the famous aria ‘When I am laid in earth’.
The show will feature an all-Australian cast with mezzo soprano Anna Dowsley reprising the role of the doomed Queen of Carthage, Dido, and tenor Nicholas Jones playing Aeneas.
They will be joined by OA principals Jane Ede, Sian Sharp and Kanen Breen, along with the OA Chorus adding to the onstage action.
Award-winning contemporary Australian circus troupe Circa will return to the Joan Sutherland Stage after wowing audiences with their acrobatics in last year’s debut collaboration with OA, ‘Orpheus & Eurydice’.
The onstage action will be amplified by Lifschitz’s sleek, dark set and costume designer Libby McDonnell’s strong silhouettes, creating a stark environment for ‘Dido & Aeneas’ to come to life in this operatic rendition of the romantic Trojan war tragedy.
