Photo Flash: Inside Rehearsal For DIDO at the Unicorn
In a first ever collaboration, English National Opera and the Unicorn join forces in presenting Dido, a contemporary staging of Purcell's powerful and emotionally charged masterpiece, Dido and Aeneas, for young audiences.
Belinda is the only child of Dido. A teenager like any other, in any big city. We watch through her eyes as her mother - heroine, feminist icon, modern parent - slowly starts to fall apart, with tragic consequences.
The Unicorn's former Artistic Director Purni Morell directs a company of twenty-two that includes three principal singers: Rachael Lloyd as Dido, Njabulo Madlala as Aeneas and Eyra Norman as Belinda. They will be performing with a chorus of twelve and seven musicians from the ENO orchestra, in this searing new production for teenagers and adults, conducted by Valentina Peleggi - the ENO Mackerras Conducting Fellow.
Originally composed for a girls' boarding school in 1689, Purcell's Dido and Aeneas is one of the most admired operas in the English canon - a timeless and tragic story of love, suffering and isolation set to some of the most sublime and exquisite music ever written. This production, faithful to the Baroque score, refocuses the piece so that it is seen through Belinda's eyes and the epic story is brought into contemporary relief in all its visceral truth. For some this will be a chance to see a familiar and much-loved opera in a new light, while for many in its young audience it will be an incredible first experience of a classic.
Dido is designed by Khadija Raza, a finalist of the Linbury Prize 2017.
Age guide: 11 - adult / Duration: Approx 1 hr 15 mins
Sung in English
PLEASE NOTE: In this production for young audiences at the Unicorn Theatre, Dido's suicide will be presented onstage. Decisions and details about this staging will be made available to bookers who wish to know more.
.jpg?format=auto&width=1400)
Valentina Peleggi
Valentina Peleggi
Dido
Dido
Purni Morell, Erya Norman
Purni Morell, Erya Norman
Purni Morell, Erya Norman
Purni Morell, the chorus
.jpg?format=auto&width=1400)
Purni Morell
Purni Morell
Eyra Norman
Eyra Norman, Rachel Lloyd
Njabulo Madlala
Njabulo Madlala
Njabulo Madlala
Rachel Lloyd, Eyra Norman, Purni Morell
.jpg?format=auto&width=1400)
Rachel Lloyd, Eyra Norman
Rachel Lloyd, Eyra Norman
Rachel Lloyd, Eyra Norman
Rachel Lloyd
Rachel Lloyd
.jpg?format=auto&width=1400)
The chorus
.jpg?format=auto&width=1400)
The chorus
.jpg?format=auto&width=1400)
The chorus
The chorus
The chorus
|
Murder Trial Tonight V - Death in the Family Scarborough Spa Grand Hall (4/23-4/23) |
|
BAT! The Bat Out Of Hell 50th Anniversary Concert Sheffield City Hall Oval Hall (10/06-10/06) |
|
|
Count Arthur Strong - And Its Goodnight From Me! Northcott Theatre (5/01-5/01) |
|
The Haunting of Widow's Leap Farm Victoria Theatre Halifax (11/08-11/08) |
|
London Community Gospel Choir at Christmas The Royal Albert Hall (12/16-12/16) |
|
Vasthy and Friends: Sing, Dance, Play The Gilded Ballon (8/05-8/31) |
|
|
Count Arthur Strong - And Its Goodnight From Me! The Fire Station (2/28-2/28) |
|
|
Count Arthur Strong - And Its Goodnight From Me! Bristol Beacon (3/19-3/19) |
|
Blue | Glas Pavillion Dance South West (11/13-11/13) |
|
|
Murder Trial Tonight V - Death in the Family Vaillant Live, Derby (2/06-2/06) |