Rollicking Dido and Aeneas at Longborough.
Longborough's new production of Purcell's Restoration chamber opera Dido and Aeneas is a bold, high-spirited venture that expands the original score to explore the themes of love, heartbreak and life at sea. After all, these themes are found not only in classical Latin literature but in folklore tradition everywhere. The production introduces songs, dances and music from Purcell's other compositions, merging Baroque and popular idiom, with folk-ballads, sea-shanties and hornpipes, from an Anglo-Irish folk repertoire, in a daring and successful way. Dido's death, performed with great pathos, is followed by a traditional Wake, a warm and full-blooded celebration of life instead of the dirge of a funeral.
The music is provided by Barroksolistene,[https://www.barokksolistene.com/] a small ensemble led by Baroque violinist Bjarte Eike, and the choreography by Norwegian director Erlend Samnøen. It worked very well having these musicians up on the main stage, mingling with the actors and dancers in an informal way.
The opera itself is slender, but well constructed, and the various moods were well contrasted in this production. The witches were suitably sinister, atmosphere being created by the use of shadows and echo-effects. The storm was evoked in a fearsome way with timps and flashes of light.
In the starring rôle of Aeneas, Sam Young (baritone https://lfo.org.uk/profile/
As Belinda, Jasmine Flicker drew special applause.
One other excellent feature of this production is that it provides an opportunity for Longborough Emerging Artists and Longborough Youth Chorus to take part and showcase their versatile skill. These young people's talent is being nurtured by Longborough Festival Opera and they are the future. They performed with exuberance and zest.
