Dido and Aeneas

Not long ago, Vox Luminis was the Muziekgebouw’s ‘ensemble in focus’, performing a special production of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen. Now, the beloved ensemble returns to bring Purcell’s other musical masterpiece, Dido and Aeneas, to life. Once again, they are joined by soprano Carine Tinney, who made a lasting impression in The Fairy Queen. Prepare yourself for a spine-tingling performance of When I’m laid in earth. 
  
The creation of Dido and Aeneas is indirectly attributable to the Dutch Stadtholder William III. One of his first acts as the new King of England was to fire Henry Purcell from his position as court composer. Out of a job and with time on his hands, Purcell wrote his masterpiece at home. The fact that Aeneas is portrayed in the opera as a spineless fool may well have been Purcell’s sweet revenge against William III.