Dido and Aeneas

Operafest Lisboa e Oeiras, led by soprano Catarina Molder and produced by Ópera do Castelo, is back from 7 AUG to 16 SEP, in its 6th edition, under the theme of “Forbidden Love” with great classics, inedited, premieres and much more: La Traviata Verdi, Dido and Aeneas by Purcell, Julie by Philippe Boesmans and The Magic Flute by Mozart and also an Operatic Rave.

Synopsis

Sung in English

PT and EN subtitles

The second opera in the Great Classics Cycle, in this edition's programme, evokes the tragic love of the Queen of Carthage, Dido, for the Trojan hero, Aeneas. For the first time, Operafest presents baroque repertoire. The enigmas and dilemmas of a woman in power who wants to end war and suffering. But the treacherous web of fate ends up blowing tragedy and death. With the most contrasting music that goes from one of the most desolate and beautiful laments in the history of music such as “Dido's Lament” to musical moments of euphoria, passion and dance, theatrical profusion and humour typical of the English "masquerade" of that period. The staging will be in charge of the dancer and choreographer Rui Horta, with a great cast under the baton of Marcos Magalhães and the Músicos do Tejo.

Program and cast

Artistic Team

Musical direction: Marcos Magalhães

Stage direction and Set design: Rui Horta

Costume design: to be announced

Lighting design: Sérgio Moreira

Dido: Margarida Simões

Belinda and 1st Witch: Eduarda Melo

Aeneas: Luís Rendas Pereira

2nd Lady and 2nd Witch: Beatriz Volante

Sorceress: Ana Cloé

Spirit: Arthur Filemon

Operafest Choir

Músicos do Tejo

Direction: Marcos Magalhães and Marta Araújo