Dido and Aeneas is an iconic Baroque opera by Henry Purcell with a libretto by Nahum Tate.  It was composed around 1688 and had been performed at  Josias Priest’s girls’ school in London by the end of 1689. Based on Book IV of Virgil’s Aeneid, the opera narrates the tragic love story of Dido, Queen of Carthage, and the Trojan hero Aeneas. The tale unfolds with Dido’s passionate love for Aeneas and culminates in her despair and ultimate demise when he forsakes her. A seminal work in Baroque opera, Dido and Aeneas is celebrated as one of Purcell’s most distinguished theatrical achievements. Notably, it is Purcell’s only fully sung opera and represents one of the earliest known examples of English opera, significantly influenced by John Blow’s Venus and Adonis in both structure and impact.

Date & Time: Tues 27 May, Thurs 29 May at 9.45pm

Venue: St. Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore, Waterford

Music: Henry Purcell  Duration: 60 minutes+/-

CAST: Paula Murrihy – mezzo-soprano | Dean Murphy – baritone | Kelli-Ann Masterson – soprano

Orchestra: Irish Baroque Orchestra | Conductor: Nicholas McGegan

TICKET PRICES: €40.00 / Limited €20 concession

OPERA SUPPER PACKAGE: Fuller’s Bistro Lismore 2-Course Supper + Recital Ticket €75 per person. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)