The opera is concise, telling the story in simply over an hour, because the temper of every scene modifications. The music, the singing, the dancing, all play essential roles in telling the story; there are recitatives and arias, however no spoken dialog. The inclusion of dance might have been influenced by the boarding faculty’s founder and director, Josias Priest, a choreographer at Theatre Royal. Opera Lafayette has eliminated the motion from mythological instances and positioned it within the boarding faculty, full with the younger girls in coaching and their mentors who act out the story, the story of Dido, throughout the story of the opera’s first efficiency. Impressively, every factor was excellently executed, and it labored as an entire! Regardless of the absurdity of the story, I felt unhappy for Dido as she died of a damaged coronary heart, ending our enchanting night collectively.
The function of Dido was performed by worldwide soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams, an impressed alternative. She appeared beforehand with Opera Lafayette in OL’s world premiere of Morgiane. Her vary and her command are superb; her voice was at all times imbued with the emotion the phrases specific, a very compelling Dido and schoolmistress. As I sat there, I felt that listening to her sing was like being bathed in roses. Her accomplices all served their roles properly. Her pal and a mistress on the faculty was Belinda, sung fantastically by soprano Chelsea Helm. She communicated real concern for Dido, a compassionate counterpoint to the emotional Dido. Enjoying the roles of Second Lady and spirit was soprano Kayleigh Sprouse, who has an attention-garnering voice, including delight to this manufacturing. Aeneas was performed by male soprano Elijah McCormick, who was relatively stiff, officious, and sang fantastically. The Sorceress was sung by bass-baritone Hans Tashjian who additionally performed a Sailor. As Sorceress, he made a Halloween-worthy entrance. Mr. Tashjian is a big man who’s imposing in a big darkish cloak. He sings very properly, however his voice and nature had been extra playful than horrifying. Contralto Cecelia McKinley added interesting dramatic depth as Second Lady, First Witch.
