The Music Department of the College bade a very good evening and a warm welcome to parents and friends for performances of Henry Purcell’s small opera, ‘Dido and Aeneas’. It remains one of the most frequently performed and best loved of 17th Century English operas. Based on the classical legend of the love between the Trojan hero, Aeneas, and Dido, Queen of Carthage, and her tragic disappointment and death, this timeless miniature masterpiece compares with many of the great works of later centuries in its treatment of human themes of love, betrayal and tragedy, at the hands of perhaps the greatest of all English composers.

The setting for this performance on the Master’s Green had a magic all its own on a perfect summer evening. Under the skilful and inspiring direction of Mr Richard Longman the work was performed entirely by pupils of the College without adult support. There was confident, delicate and lively playing by the string orchestra in support of the leading performers who all gave impressive accounts of Purcell’s many demanding and complex arias and recitatives. Elizabeth Bruce in the title role gave a confident and assured performance of a very demanding part, crowning her performance with a moving rendition of Dido’s Lament, surely one of the most affecting arias in all opera. She was supported by many other promising young singers, especially Harriet Robinson as Belinda, Dido’s confidante who performed with a maturity beyond her age, and her voice blending well with Emily Hatchett as the Second Woman; Matthew Gooch was an effective Aeneas . All were ably supported by the Chorus performed by members of the Choir.

The setting provided all that was needed by way of scenery, complemented by beautifully designed but simple classical costumes and some imaginative black creations for the witches (ably led by Daisy England as the Sorceress). A confident and enjoyable performance in which the entire cast rose to the formidable challenges of learning and presenting this complex but beautiful work, and a fitting way to round off the College year.

Review by Ian Priest