FULL DIDO AND AENEAS Conway AR 2023 Mary Ruth Kitchens, Mary Rowe, Jon Yopp

Information on the Performance

• Work Title: Dido and Aeneas   
• Composer: Purcell Henry  
• Libretto: Nahum Tate    Libretto Text, Libretto Index
• Venue & Opera Company: Snow Fine Arts Center, Conway, Arkansas, University oof Central Arkansas  
• Recorded: February 16 - 19, 2022
• Type: Staged Opera Live
• Singers: Mary Ruth Kitchens, Mary Rowe, Samantha Stover, Jon Yopp, Sarah Habura, Sydney Siler, Fatima Garduno, Kyla Blickenstaff, Ethan Perry
• Conductor: Julia Buckingham  
• Orchestra:
• Stage Director: Gregory Church  
• Costume Designer:   

Information about the Recording

• Published by: UCA Department of Music   
• Date Published: 2023  
• Format: Streaming
• Quality Video: 4 Audio:4
• Subtitles: nosubs  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE

PROGRAM LEAFLET

Synopsis
Still overcome with grief after the death of her husband, Dido, queen of
Carthage, cannot admit her love for Aeneas. A prince of Troy, and a
guest at Dido’s court, Aeneas has been tasked by the gods to found
Rome. Her sister Belinda and her courtiers persuade Dido to speak her
love for Aeneas. Having admitted their feelings to each other, the couple
leaves the palace for a hunt in the forest.
A sorceress and her witches plot the downfall of Dido and Carthage. By
conjuring a storm, they will force the pair into a cave for refuge. Later,
while being entertained in a grove by Belinda and her Attendant, Dido
senses the approaching storm. The group leaves the field for the shelter
of the cave. There, Aeneas encounters an elf disguised as Mercury, who
reminds Aeneas of his duty.
Having reaffirmed his allegiance to the gods, Aeneas and his warriors
prepare to set sail for Italy, though he knows he must leave Dido. The
witches are quite pleased with their victory and sing of their delight. In
an impassioned plea, Aeneas attempts to explain his predicament to the
queen as he tells her that he will break his vow to the gods to stay with
her. Dido is appalled by his hypocrisy, and orders him away. After his
departure, Dido seeks comfort from Belinda as she prepares to end her
life.

Cast (in order of appearance)
Dido Mary Ruth Kitchens*; Anna Sophia Jones†
Belinda Mary Rowe*; Paola Ticas†
Attendant Samantha Stover
Aeneas Jon Yopp*; Larry Smith†
Sorceress Sarah Habura
First Witch Sydney Siler
Second Witch Fatima Garduno*; Rebecca Ticas†
Spirit of Mercury Kyla Blickenstaff*; Sadé Hendrix†
First Sailor Ethan Perry

*Thursday/Saturday cast; †Friday/Sunday cast

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