‘Purcell: Dido and Aeneas - Le Poème Harmonique’

The Trojan hero Aeneas was given the task of founding the city of Rome, but during his travels he was stranded in Carthage, ruled by Queen Dido. The couple fell head over heels in love, leaving Aeneas torn between passion and duty. With a sorrowful heart, Aeneas departed and set a course for Rome. Dido was left behind, inconsolable. She was unable to bear her broken heart and decided to end her life. When Henry Purcell composed his opera Dido and Aeneas, he drew on this rich, emotional story. The lament When I am Laid in Earth, in which Dido says farewell to life, has become one of the absolute highlights of operatic history.

For the past 25 years, Vincent Dumestre has been taking his ensemble Le Poème Harmonique on a journey through French, Italian and English music from the 17th and 18th centuries. Purcell is thusright in their comfort zone. Mezzo-soprano Adèle Charvet, whose career has rocketed in recent years, performs the role of Dido. 

"Vincent Dumestre's choice to accentuate contrasts offers an interesting approach to Dido and Aeneas, with a vision magnificently served by inspired performers." Opera Forum