Dido and Aeneas, first performed in a boarding school for young women, tells the tragic story of Dido, Queen of Carthage, who falls in love with the Trojan prince Aeneas. Despite Aeneas’ departure, which is driven by divine command, Dido’s heartache leads to her eventual suicide.
In this unique production, first streamed during the pandemic and hailed as the best stream of 2021, the Belgian company Peeping Tom adds a surreal twist to the opera. The original work is complemented by a parallel story featuring Didi, a Thatcherite power woman who mirrors Dido’s solitude and despair. The opera’s psychological depth is explored through Didi’s interactions with her servants, reflecting her inner turmoil.
Led by conductor Emmanuelle Haïm, the ensemble Le Concert d’Astrée brings Purcell’s music to life with daring improvisations and a mix of traditional and contemporary textures. Swiss mezzo-soprano Marie-Claude Chappuis portrays Didi, offering a new and powerful interpretation of the iconic role. This production, blending opera and dance, explores themes of power, loneliness, and mental confinement, offering a fresh take on Dido and Aeneas.
