UD Opera Workshop 2002

CAST

Dido: Traci Donielle Davis, soprano
Aeneas, A Trojan Prince: Brian Kuzmin, tenor
Belinda, Dido's confidante: April L. Morris, soprano
Woman Attendant: Kerry Mitch, soprano
Sorceress: Michelle M. Vachon, mezzo-soprano
1st Witch: Emily Dobrinich, soprano
2nd Witch: Julie Brock, mezzo-soprano
Spirit / "Mercury": Margaret LaVigne, mezzo-soprano
Sailor: Christopher Albanese, tenor
Chorus:

Lisa Bankes, soprano
Lindsey Kline, soprano
Ann Marie LeQuyea, soprano
Amanda Lynn Williams, soprano
Erin J. Z. Wooters, soprano
Jennifer Aprahamian, mezzo-soprano
Abigail Doss, mezzo-soprano
Angela I. M. Potticary, mezzo-soprano
Victoria Rinderle, mezzo-soprano
John Gueltzow, tenor
Arthur Bogard, baritone

STAFF

John Benjamin, piano
Robert Avrett, stage direction
Lee Hoffman, production & music direction

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA FOR RECORDING

Lyn Ritz, violin
Sachiho Murasugi, violin
Phillip Magnuson, viola
Jeffrey Schoyen, cello
John Benjamin, harpsichord

RECORDING ENGINEERS

Recording Mastered, Edited & Produced December, 2002 by

Kevin Skinner, recording engineer
Damon Sink, media technology specialist

GRAPHIC ARTIST

Graphics & Photography by

Erica Nooney

SYNOPSIS

Synopsis from http://www.oxfordgirlschoir.co.uk/events/dido2002.html

Overture

Act I - the palace

Dido enters her apartment. She is troubled by her feelings for the Trojan prince Æneas, but is reassured by Belinda. The courtiers are anxious that the thrones of Carthage and Troy should be united, and rejoice at the prospect. Æneas and his attendants arrive, and Dido's courtiers continue their encouragement. The act ends with a Triumphing Chorus and Dance.

2. Shake the cloud from off your brow (Belinda; Chorus)
3. Ah! Belinda, I am press'd with torment (Dido)
4. Grief increases by concealing ... (Belinda, Dido)
5. When monarchs unite, how happy their state (Chorus)
6. Whence could so much virtue spring (Dido, Belinda)
7. Fear no danger to ensue (Belinda, Second Woman; Chorus)
8. See, your royal guest appears (Belinda, Aeneas, Dido)
9. Cupid only throws the dart (Chorus)
10. If not for mine, for empire's sake (Aeneas)
11. Pursue thy conquest, Love (Belinda)
12. To the hills and the vales (Chorus)
13. The Triumphing Dance

Act II, Scene 1 - the cavern

The Sorceress appears. She summons the witches, and together they plot Æneas' departure, Dido's ruin, and the consequent destruction of Carthage. The hunt as an image of courtship begins as the Sorceress sees the queen and the prince in chase. In contrast to the stately minuet at the end of Act I, the scene ends with an Echo Chorus and Dance of the Furies (evil spirits).

14. Prelude for the Witches
15. Wayward sisters, you that fright (Sorceress, First Witch)
16. Harm's our delight and mischief all our skill (Chorus)
17. The Queen of Carthage, whom we hate (Sorceress)
18. Ha, ha, ha (Chorus)
19. Ruin'd ere the set of sun (Witches, Sorceress)
20. Ha, ha, ha (Chorus)
21. But ere we this perform (Witches)
22. In our deep vaulted cell (Chorus)
23. Echo Dance of the Furies

Act II, Scene 2 - the grove

The court, out hunting in the vale, is driven back to the Palace by a thunderstorm: a symbolic end to the hunt, for Dido, having yielded to Æneas, has lost all. The Spirit of the Sorceress appears, disguised as Mercury, the winged messenger, and commands Æneas to leave and continue his quest for the site for the founding of the new Troy. Æneas laments his fate in a dramatic recitative.

24. Ritornello
25. Thanks to these lonesome vales (Belinda, Chorus)
26. Oft she visits this lov'd mountain (Second Woman)
27. Behold, upon my bending spear (Aeneas, Dido)
28. Haste, haste to town (Belinda, Chorus)
29. Stay, Prince, and hear great Jove's command (Spirit, Aeneas)

Act III, Scene 1 - the ships

The witches drive Æneas' men to the ships. Some light relief is provided by the Sailors' song and dance. The Sorceress and her crones rejoice at their success, and the scene ends with a Witches' Dance.

30. Prelude for the sailors
31. Come away, fellow sailors (First Sailor, Chorus)
32. The Sailors' Dance
33. See the flags and streamers curling (Sorceress; Witches)
34. Our next motion (Sorceress)
35. Destruction's our delight (Chorus)
36. The Witches' Dance (Jack of the Lanthorn Dance)

Act III, Scene 2 - [back at the palace]

Torn between his desire to remain with Dido and the "will of the gods", Æneas hesitates and resolves to stay, only to be rejected by an angry Dido. He leaves. Belinda fails to appease the grief-stricken Dido, who sings a final lament before killing herself. The opera ends with "Mourning tableau", in which the Cupids dance around Dido's body.

37. Your counsel all is urg'd in vain (Dido, Belinda, Aeneas)
38. Great minds against themselves conspire (Chorus)
39. Thy hand, Belinda (Dido)
40. When I am laid in earth (Dido)
41. With drooping wings ye Cupids come (Chorus)

PHOTOS

Photos by Erica Nooney

Contents:
1 Dido enters her apartment. 2 She is troubled by her feelings for Æneas. 3 Belinda and the Woman Attendant attempt to reassure Dido. 4 Belinda with the chorus, continues to try to convince Dido not to be afraid. 5 Belinda urges Dido not to hide her feelings. 6 The courtiers are anxious that the thrones of Carthage and Troy should be reunited. 7 Æneas arrives. 8 He persuades Dido to accept his love. 9 Belinda encourages Æneas to pursue Dido. 10 The courtiers show their enthusiasm in a triumphing dance. 11 The Sorceress appears. 12 The Sorceress summons her wayward sisters, the witches. 13 The witches sing a duet, conjuring up a storm. 14 Æneas has just returned from the hunt when a storm arises. Belinda urges everyone to quickly return to town. 15 The Spirit, disguised as Mercury, appears. 16 The Spirit commands Æneas to leave and continue his quest for the founding of the new Troy. 17 Æneas laments his fate in a dramatic recitative. 18 Some light relief is provided by the Sailor's song and dance. 19 The Sorceress, rejoicing at her success in driving Æneas away, begins to plot both his demise in a storm at sea and the flaming destruction of Carthage. 20 Æneas hesitates and resolves to stay... 21 ...only to be rejected by Dido. 22 Æneas leaves after Dido rejects him. 23 Belinda fails to appease Dido. 24 Dido is grief-stricken. 25 Dido sings her lament, "When I am laid in earth...remember me." 26 The death of Dido.

1. Dido (Traci Davis) enters her apartment.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

2. She is troubled by her feelings for Æneas.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

3. Belinda (April Morris) and the Woman Attendant (Kerry Mitch) attempt to reassure Dido (Davis).

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

4. Belinda (Morris) with the chorus, continues to try to convince Dido not to be afraid. Back left to right: Mitch, Wooters, Williams, Jennifer Aprahamian; Front left to right: Davis, Angela I. M. Potticary, John Gueltzow, Morris.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

5. Belinda (Morris) urges Dido not to hide her feelings.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

6. The courtiers are anxious that the thrones of Carthage and Troy should be reunited. Back left to right: Abigail Doss, Christopher Albanese, Erin J. Z. Wooters, Arthur Bogard; Front left to right: Amanda Lynn Williams, Lisa Bankes, Ann Marie LeQuyea.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

7. Æneas (Brian Kuzmin) arrives.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

8. Æneas (Kuzmin) persuades Dido to accept his love.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

9. Belinda (Morris) encourages Æneas to pursue Dido.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

10. The courtiers (Aprahamian, Albanese, Lindsey Kline) show their enthusiasm in a triumphing dance. Back left to right: Doss, Williams.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

11. The Sorceress (Michelle M. Vachon) appears.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

12. The Sorceress summons her wayward sisters, the witches (Emily Dobrinich & Julie Brock).

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

13. The witches (Dobrinich & Brock) sing a duet, conjuring up a storm.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

14. Æneas (Kuzmin) has just returned from the hunt when a storm arises. Belinda (Morris) urges everyone to quickly return to town.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

15. The Spirit (Margaret LaVigne), disguised as Mercury, appears.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

16. The Spirit (LaVigne) commands Æneas (Kuzmin) to leave and continue his quest for the founding of the new Troy.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

17. Æneas (Kuzmin) laments his fate in a dramatic recitative.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

18. Some light relief is provided by the Sailor's song and dance (Aprahamian, Albanese, Kline).

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

19. The Sorceress (Vachon), rejoicing at her success in driving Æneas away, begins to plot both his demise in a storm at sea and the flaming destruction of Carthage.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

20. Æneas (Kuzmin) hesitates and resolves to stay...

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

21. ...only to be rejected by Dido (Davis).

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

22. Æneas (Kuzmin) leaves after Dido rejects him.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

23. Belinda (Morris) fails to appease Dido (Davis).

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

24. Dido (Davis) is grief-stricken.

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

25. Dido (Davis) sings her lament, "When I am laid in earth...remember me."

(Back to Synopsis | Next Photo | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

26. The death of Dido (Davis).

(Back to Synopsis | Previous Photo | Back to Photo Contents | Back to Top)

SOUNDS

Soundfiles will begin downloading when links are clicked.
(see Personnel for credits)

2.1MB Overture

1.4MB 2. Shake the cloud from off your brow (Belinda; Chorus)

5MB 3. Ah! Belinda, I am press'd with torment (Dido)

796KB 4. Grief increases by concealing ... (Belinda, Dido)

Back to Sounds Top | Back to Top

404MB 5. When monarchs unite, how happy their state (Chorus)

2.3MB 6. Whence could so much virtue spring (Dido, Belinda)

2.3MB 7. Fear no danger to ensue (Belinda, Second Woman; Chorus)

1.1MB 8. See, your royal guest appears (Belinda, Aeneas, Dido)

Back to Sounds Top | Back to Top

796KB 9. Cupid only throws the dart (Chorus)

564KB 10. If not for mine, for empire's sake (Aeneas)

1.2MB 11. Pursue thy conquest, Love (Belinda)

1.8MB 12. To the hills and the vales (Chorus)

Back to Sounds Top | Back to Top

1.3MB 13. The Triumphing Dance

1.3MB 14. Prelude for the Witches

1.5MB 15. Wayward sisters, you that fright (Sorceress, First Witch)

408KB 16. Harm's our delight and mischief all our skill (Chorus)

Back to Sounds Top | Back to Top

936KB 17. The Queen of Carthage, whom we hate (Sorceress) & 18. Ha, ha, ha (Chorus)

1.6MB 19. Ruin'd ere the set of sun (Witches, Sorceress) & 20. Ha, ha, ha (Chorus)

1.6MB 21. But ere we this perform (Witches)

2MB 22. In our deep vaulted cell (Chorus)

Back to Sounds Top | Back to Top

1.3MB 23. Echo Dance of the Furies

668KB 24. Ritornello

1.8MB 25. Thanks to these lonesome vales (Belinda, Chorus)

2MB 26. Oft she visits this lov'd mountain (Second Woman)

Back to Sounds Top | Back to Top

708KB 27. Behold, upon my bending spear (Aeneas, Dido)

1MB 28. Haste, haste to town (Belinda, Chorus)

3.2MB 29. Stay, Prince, and hear great Jove's command (Spirit, Aeneas)

2.2MB 30. Prelude for the sailors & 31. Come away, fellow sailors (First Sailor, Chorus)

Back to Sounds Top | Back to Top

952KB 32. The Sailors' Dance

1.4MB 33. See the flags and streamers curling (Sorceress; Witches)

804KB 34. Our next motion (Sorceress)

868KB 35. Destruction's our delight (Chorus)

Back to Sounds Top | Back to Top

1.9MB 36. The Witches' Dance (Jack of the Lanthorn Dance)

3.7MB 37. Your counsel all is urg'd in vain (Dido, Belinda, Aeneas)

1.4MB 38. Great minds against themselves conspire (Chorus)

1020KB 39. Thy hand, Belinda (Dido)

3.3MB 40. When I am laid in earth (Dido)

Back to Sounds Top | Back to Top

2.7MB 41. With drooping wings ye Cupids come (Chorus)