Prom 35 (13.08.20) Purcell: Dido and Aeneas

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

In a profoundly moving late-night performance from the 2003 season, British mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly led an all-star cast in Purcell's most popular opera. The drama portrays the tragedy of human relationships torn apart by fate and divine intervention, while the music - including one of the most heartfelt laments in all opera - powerfully and poignantly expresses the characters' emotions.

Purcell: Dido and Aeneas

Christopher Purves (Aeneas)
Sarah Connolly (Dido)
Carolyn Sampson (Belinda)
D’Arcy Bleiker (Sorcerer)
Elizabeth Cragg (Second Woman)
Matthew Beale (Sailor)
Lucy Crowe (Spirit)
Choir of the Enlightenment
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Richard Egarr (conductor)

(From BBC Proms 2003, 2 September)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

An extremely late night broadcast.

A wonderful work, though somewhat silenced in my mind through studying it as an A-level set work. My mother was amused when I walked around the house singing "Destruction's our delight".

[bluestateprommer]

An extremely late night broadcast.

Hannah French said during her intro that the RAH was packed out for this Late Night Prom at the time, 2 Sept. 2003. Of course, with 3 such strong names in the lead roles, and orchestra, choir and conductor/harpsichordist of such quality, perhaps that's no surprise. Very nicely done here, a pleasure to hear for the 1st time. Well worth a listen if you haven't heard it yet.