Events Calendar

Dunedin’s chamber opera company, The Little Box of Operas, presents Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas.

Dido and Aeneas derives from Virgil’s epic Aeneid, and was written about 1685 for performance at the English court of Charles II, before its more famous revival for Josiah Priest’s school for girls in 1689. This production sets the opera in a Restoration context; Dido, Queen of Carthage, is profoundly aware of her precarious and isolated position as queen in a conspiracy- and malice-ridden court, and an alliance with the fate-driven Aeneas can only succeed if he is prepared to abandon his own destiny as founder of Rome in favour of hers. But Aeneas – strictly a man of action - has little understanding of the true nature of queen-ship, and Dido herself does not see until too late that one’s instincts may be correct, and that treachery comes in many guises. Dido and Aeneas is a passionate and tragic story of love, power, treachery, and inescapable disaster – driven to the end by the Sorceress and her witches.

The opera is directed by Jenny Burchell, and presented by Dunedin’s finest operatic singers, including Lois Johnston (soprano), Claire Barton (mezzo-soprano), and James Adams (tenor) with musical direction by the incomparable David Burchell. The accompaniment is provided by a visiting Baroque ensemble, led by Tomas Hurnik (cello).

Artistic Director, Jenny Burchell, has previously co‐directed opera outdoors and says the open‐air environment creates a unique atmosphere. The Millers Flat performance will be held in a large private garden where the audience will be invited to bring a picnic, be offered a complimentary glass of wine onarrival, and be able to purchase a dessert during the interval as a fundraiser by the local school’s PTA: an altogether community experience. Jenny says that should the weather be unfavourable the performance will be moved to the community hall but she hopes this will not be the case.

Supported by 2 Degrees, award winning wines from the Mount Pisa Range.

General Admission $50.00

Tickets available from Central Otago Visitor Centres ph: 03 262 7999 or at 103 The Store, Roxburgh; or phone/text 021 383 667

Location

Millers Flat Gardens 1656 Teviot Rd,