Dido and Aeneas: An Opera

by Henry Purcell, Curtis Price (Editor)

An original in one volume, a study-size score of a major musical work, and a comprehensive body of tools for the study of that work. Music examples and charts illustrate the analyses, and each essay is fully annotated by the editor. In some cases, the results of original research by the editor or by others working in the field are published here for the first time. Much of the material has never before appeared in English. A score embodying the best available musical text. Historical background-what is known of the circumstances surrounding the origin of the work, including (where relevant) original source material. A detailed analysis of the music, by the editor of the volume or another well-known scholar. Other significant analytic essays and critical comments, exposing the student to a variety of opinions about the music.

Genres: Music, Theatre, Nonfiction, Scores, British Literature

Paperback

First published March 1, 1985

About the author

Baroque composer Henry Purcell served, at various times in his life, as organ tuner, "composer-in-ordinary," organist, and composer to the royal family. He is probably best known for his stage music, including The Fairy Queen (1692) and the opera, Dido and Aeneas (1689). He composed more than 250 pieces of music in his lifetime, including secular songs, religious anthems, pieces for instrumental ensemble, and works for harpsichord.

More information can be found here:

http://www.naxos.com/person/Henry_Pur...

Reviews

[Javier Fernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like any self respecting opera, this one shows once again that love is greater than life. The drawback for me was that the agony wasn't palpable enough. I needed more suffering!

[Ceren · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Great minds against themselves conspire
And shun the cure they most desire."

[Laura L. Van Dam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the musical score and libretto in advance for the upcoming staging of this opera (my favorite) in my city.
The libretto is quite short but comes to life when joined with the music. Sublime!

[Jordan Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the first Operas I've ever listened to all the way through. I read the sheet music as I was listening and I was struck by the beauty of many of the melodies in it. It's a short opera, and a tragedy about the love between Dido and Aeneas. The plot isn't very complicated, but it gets a pass from me because the point is the music and the emotions. The lyrics are well written and have some great lines.

Plot: (Spoilers)
The beginning of the opera sees Dido and Aeneas become engaged. My favorite melody from this part of the play was "Peace and I are strangers grown."

The opera then turns to the antagonists, an evil sorcerer and witches. They conspire against Dido and Aeneas, planning to trick Aeneas into leaving, thus breaking Dido's heart and killing her. I really liked the creepy melody that preceded the entrance of the Sorcerer and Witches.

Their plan goes off perfectly and Aeneas prepares to leave. His final conversation with Dido is emotionally packed as he says he will anger the Gods to stay, but she says he must go.

The opera climaxes with Dido's death and the famous scene "Dido's lament." A heartbreaking melody.

Favorite Songs:
Ah! Belinda, I am prest
Thanks to these lonesome vales
When I am laid in earth (Dido's Lament)

Favorite Lines:

Belinda:
Shake the Cloud off from your brow.

Grief increases by concealing.

Dido:
Peace and I are strangers grown.

Whence could so much virtue spring?

To Earth and Heav'n why do I call?
Earth and Heav'n conspire my fall.
To Fate I sue, of other means bereft
The only refuge for the wretched left.

When I am laid in earth, May my wrongs create
No trouble in thy breast;
Remember me, but ah! forget my fate.


Sorcerer and Witches:
Harm's our delight and mischief all our skill.

Destruction's our delight
Delight our greatest sorrow!

Aeneas:
How can so hard a fate be took?
One night enjoy'd, the next forsook.
Yours be the blame, ye gods! For I
Obey your will, but with more ease could die.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging score and libretto, if a bit courtly. Giggling, prophetic witches don't get enough air time these days.

[Raúl · Rating 5 out of 5]

El breve y delicado libreto de Dido y Eneas, un argumento creado para ser interpretado por las alumnas internas de una escuela de mujeres, es sin embargo rico en referencias, no sólo de la Eneida y la mitología clásica, sino de las formas del teatro de Shakespeare. Un buen soporte para una excelente músia

[Opal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am putting this as one of my read books because I read and sung and analyzed the libretto a bunch of times, but also because I read someone’s 300-ish page college thesis on Dido and Aeneas.