It's Official

Opera 2011: a one-act double bill of

Purcell’s DIDO AND AENEAS

&

Britten’s THE BURNING FIERY FURNACE

Auditions October 19 in HRH, 6-10pm

Sing one piece in English and bring a copy for Ms. Reynolds, who will play for us. No unaccompanied auditions!

DIDO AND AENEAS

Dido and Aeneas, based on books of Virgil's Aeneid, is set in Carthage at the court of Queen Dido. Her courtiers and sister, Belinda, persuade her to admit her love for Aeneas, a Trojan prince who has stopped in Carthage on his travels and is dallying with her. Witches plot the downfall of Dido and her city, and arrange to raise a storm so that the two lovers, who are out hunting, will be forced to seek shelter in a cave. There one of the witches, disguised as Mercury, the messenger god,will remind Aeneas of his duty to resume his voyage to Italy. He is persuaded to leave and makes preparations. He tries to explain his destiny to Dido, but she brushes his explanations aside and makes ready for her death.

ROLES

Dido, Queen of Carthage: high mezzo-soprano or soprano

Belinda, Dido's sister and handmaid: light soprano

Second Woman, Another Handmaiden: mezzo-soprano or soprano

Aeneas, Trojan Prince: tenor or baritone

Sorceress/Sorcerer: mezzo-soprano, contralto, countertenor or bass

First Witch/Enchantress: mezzo-soprano

Second Witch/Enchantress: mezzo-soprano

Spirit, in form of Mercury: soprano or countertenor

THE BURNING FIERY FURNACE

The Burning Fiery Furnace tells the story of Nebuchadnezzar and the three Israelites, Ananias, Misael and Asarias (corresponding Babylonian names; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego), who were thrown into a furnace for their refusal to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s image of gold. However, God saves them from death, as the voice of an angel joins the Israelites in a "Benedicte."

ROLES

Nebuchadnezzar: tenor

Astrologer: baritone

Ananias (Shadrack): baritone

Misael (Meshach): tenor

Azarias (Abednego): baritone

Herald and Leader of the Courtiers

Chorus of Courtiers and Attendants