Beaumont School Music Department

Radio 3's Discovering Music series has some excellent notes on Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, as well as a video analysis of Dido's Lament. This will provide you with invaluable information and analysis so please click here for more details. Purcell was also one of Radio 3's 2009 Composers of the Year and I have downloaded some very interesting broadcasts about the composer, which I will send to you or put on CD for you. Here is the link to the Purcell handout.

Thanks to David Pearson from Radio Verulam for recording the opera. Extracts can be heard below. Hover over each track to find out its name and then select and press play on the box above. If you would like a copy for yourself, please bring in a blank CD. This recording has been made with one microphone but I am sure you will agree that it's a fantastic memory of the occasion. Enjoy!

Congratulations to all the cast, chorus, orchestra and crew on an absolutely stunning performance. Many people have commented on the talent and professionalism evident throughout the opera. It is always a pleasure to work with such dedicated students and I hope you are all proud of yourselves. Here are some photos, which can also be downloaded from the Central Resource Library from Thursday 13th March 2008. Enjoy! View Upload your own

First of all, can we just thank you for your hard work so far. The opera is going to be absolutely brilliant, and I can’t believe that after such a short time, we’re going to achieve something so amazing. I’ve had quite a few emails from “real” people (i.e. members of the public not related to Beaumont) who want to come and see it, so it should be really good. Please advertise it to friends and family! Secondly, you should now know exactly what you are singing, so people who venture on stage, you MUST LEARN YOUR LINES OFF BY HEART. YOU HAVE UNTIL THURSDAY 6th TO LEARN THEM. OTHERWISE WE WILL STROP. Chorus, you can have your books. REHEARSALS FOR THE FINAL WEEK: MONDAY 3rd LUNCHTIME : No rehearsal for Dido – normal Vocal Ensemble in preparation for SASSMA. MONDAY 3rd AFTER SCHOOL : Run through for EVERYONE, INCLUDING CHORUS (and strings?) in the HALL. Matt Harrop, can you make this? THURSDAY 6th LUNCHTIME : ALL CHORUS NUMBERS THURSDAY 6th AFTER SCHOOL : RUN THROUGH IN R...

Emma Kirkby sings Dido's lament with the Yorkshire Baroque Soloists. I'm a huge fan of Emma Kirkby: she has a divine voice - warm and rich without excessive vibrato. Please listen and click here to visit her website.

There are a lot of recordings out there so it can be quite daunting when you are searching, but several do spring to mind: René Jacobs (conducter), choir of Clare College, Cambridge and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. (see picture). This recording has a great string sound and some good soloists. It is, however, quite expensive and hard to obtain. Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music (downloadable from itunes) is reasonably priced. The voices have a fair amount of vibrato which you needn't have! This CD has fabulous soloists such as Ian Bostridge and Felicity Palmer but again, a bit more expensive. Don't forget that these are recorded by artists who are much older than you and have larger voices with big vibrato! I don't expect you to sing in the same way, especially in a nice light Baroque opera. However, professional recordings are great for comparing interpretations!

Dido and Aeneas is a tragic opera in three acts by Henry Purcell to a libretto by Nahum Tate, adapted from Virgil's epic poem Aeneid . The first known performance of Dido and Aeneas was at a girls' boarding school in Chelsea before December 1689. Act 1: Dido's court Dido has been entertaining Aeneas after his escape from the Sack of Troy. She is reluctant to express her love for Aeneas, but Belinda (her sister and confidante) and her handmaids assure her that Aeneas feels the same. When he arrives and presses his suit, Dido is reluctant at first, but gives in. Belinda and her courtiers celebrate the prospect of a royal marriage. Act 2.i: The cave The Sorceress and her witches (without any motive) are plotting Dido's death. She reveals her plan to conjure a storm to ruin the royal hunt and drive the royal party back to Carthage. One of her witches will then appear as a spirit to Aeneas in the form of Mercury and command him to sail away. Act 2.ii: The grove Dido and...

MONDAY 10th MARCH 2008 at 7pm, Beaumont School Hall Congratulations to the following students: DIDO AND ÆNEAS By Henry Purcell Musical Director: Miss Doan Director: Jane Langley CAST: Dido, Queen of Carthage (soprano): Erica Thompson Æneas, Trojan Prince (tenor): Wil Pate Belinda, Dido’s sister and handmaid (soprano): Emma Doherty Other handmaidens: Sarah Mobbs, Rachel Airey & Fiona Wells Second Woman (soprano): Emily Packham Sorceress (soprano): Kat Deal First Witch (soprano): Becky Giles Second Witch (soprano): Sara McNeillis Spirit (soprano): Emily Almond 1st Sailor (tenor): James Moorton Sailors (tenors/trebles): Luke Bainbridge, Yannick Mayaud & Ben Williams Chorus Leaders: Emily Almond (Sop 1), Louise Taylor (Sop 2) & Suzannah Murphy (Alto) Thanks to everyone who auditioned. If your name does not appear here, please sing in the chorus: we will start rehearsing soon- just check the schedule.