Dido and Aeneas

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Sunday, November 9th, 2025
3:00 PM to 5:15 PM

Dido and Aeneas was first performed in 1689 in London, England. After more than three centuries, audiences still marvel at Henry Purcell’s genius, as his music brings to life the tragic story we know from Virgil’s epic poem, The Aeneid. Purcell wrote melodies full of longing and pathos, but there are some remarkable, light-hearted musical moments (mostly sung by the chorus) in which Dido and Aeneas’ love is celebrated, the witches dance in glee, characters hastily retreat from an ensuing storm, and a lusty sailor sings his song.

Dido’s Lament, ‘When I am laid in earth’, is the most famous aria. This gorgeous melody is so beloved that it is played annually in London by the massed bands of the Guards Division at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday (the Sunday nearest to the 11th of November). This year, we will perform this music on the very same day – Sunday, November 9th. Four wonderful guest artists will take the roles of Dido (Shanté van Horlick), Aeneas (Carter Martin), Belinda (Andrea Rodall), and the Sorcerer (Michael MacKinnon). You can find our guest artists’ biographies on the choir’s website, www.malaspinachoir.com.

The concert also includes Purcell’s ‘If Music Be the Food of Love’, sung by the full choir. A small ensemble will perform Benjamin Britten’s ‘Hymn to St. Cecilia’, an extraordinary work on the bucket list of singers around the world. The piece is a praise to the patron saint of musc, whose feast day falls on Britten’s birthdate, November 22nd. All three works are a fitting celebration of music for the month of November.