Dido & Aeneas
The first opera in the Template Network - performed by Musica Contemplata
”Dido & Aeneas” by Henry Purcell is one of music
history's small gems, a relatively short baroque opera (about 1 1/2 hours),
originally composed in 1689 for a girl's school in Chelsea. The story concerns
the legend of Dido, Queen of Carthage, and Aeneas, the Prince of Troy, who
fall in love even though their countries are at war. All is well, until a party
of witches set about robbing the two lovers of their happiness.
Musica
Contemplata is an international music ensemble and choir, with most of its
members coming from the Template Network. Singers and musicians from Denmark,
England, Germany, Holland and Israel, 22 participants in all, met in Copenhagen
and worked intensively for one week on the opera leading up to two performances.
These were both in Copenhagen, the first at the Template Network's own centre
on Saturday July 10th, and the next the day after at Tikøb Church. Both
performances attracted full houses, were stunning and proved to be great successes.
The legend and story of Dido and Aeneas has always fascinated and captivated
people as it portrays the drama of a fight between good and evil. The experience
of this fight being played out in song, dance, music and lights on stage gives
the onlooker a unique possibility for seeing and reflecting on the same sort
of conflicts in one's own life.
Musica Contemplata staged the drama with great
spirit and creativity, ensuring that the audience got much more than just
a good story. It was possible to feel the inner essence of this historical
drama; fight, love, deprivation, longing, ignorance, pride and honour. So can
essence transform legends of the past into a reality for today.
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