Notice Board

Lethbridge opera fans are in for a treat when Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, the story of the passionate, yet ill- fated, love between Dido, Queen of Carthage, and Aeneas, a Trojan warrior, appears at the historic Southminster United Church on January 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. This production is the fifth partnership between the University of Lethbridge Opera Workshop and the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra and first time the opera appears in their more intimate Chamber Music Series.

The small-scale opera promises a fully staged, vibrant presentation sung in English, preceded by a prelude of chamber music especially selected to focus on the Baroque era.

"Dido is a beautiful contrast to the large-scale operas presented over the past four years and our first Baroque collaboration.  This opera is intimate, colourful and tragic. The epic story of love and loss is told in a fast moving 55 minutes, and has it all - a regal, gracious queen, a strong, heroic leading man, a coven of scheming maniacal witches and one of the most ravishing arias ever written" explains Blaine Hendsbee, U of L Opera Workshop Director.

Purcell, widely considered as one of the greatest English composers in history, conveys the story and develops the characters through a variety of musical means including aria, recitative, chorus and dance.

Costume enthusiasts can also look forward to the elaborate and ornate. "Our production is beautiful indeed, highlighted by the costume design of the U of L’s Leslie Robison Greene," says Hendsbee. “Audiences have enjoyed Leslie's amazing creative designs for many years and she is a real a treasure. She and her team have created so many beautiful costume designs for the U of L, and her work to create the visual imagery for Dido is remarkable."

Rounding out the evening’s entertainment is Musaeus String Quartet performing more Baroque period instrumental works by Purcell, Legrenzi and Rosenmuller.

Tickets are available online at lethbridgesymphony.org or calling 403-328-6808, Monday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. or in person at the LSO office at 424 - 7 St. S.

For a look at the performers who will be presenting Dido and Aeneas, check out this story.