Dido and Aeneas
About the event
Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas
A semi-staged production of the first opera in English, written in 1689, will be performed by renowned Galloway singers, orchestral players and dancers on Sunday, 30th August at 3.00pm in Gatehouse Parish Church.
The opera, which lasts approximately one and a quarter hours, takes its story from Virgil’s Aeneid written 29 BC. Fast forward to late 17th century London and the tale of Dido, Queen of Carthage and Aeneas, Prince of Troy was composed by Henry Purcell when England was recovering from the Great Plague and Great Fire and at a time when the restoration on the monarchy of Charles II began a period of flourishing for the arts.
Dido and Aeneas is a tale of forbidden love, sorcery, passion and ultimate tragedy.
Nicola Junor from Castle Kennedy will sing the role of Dido, which includes the very moving Dido’s lament, and Simon Hart, Kirkcudbright baritone, will sing the role of Aeneas.
The role of the Sorcerer will be sung by Dumfries bass, Robert Lind, and the role of Belinda will be sung by Newton Stewart soprano Ans Kluit.
Susan Smyth from Gatehouse will lead the instrumental ensemble and a group of young and talented dancers from Dumfries School of Dance will present a Witches’ dance and a Sailors’ dance amongst others.
The Greek chorus is made up of singers from a mix of choirs across Dumfries and Galloway.
The choreographer is Helen Gray and Musical Direction comes from Bill Thomson, organist of Gatehouse Parish Church.
Entry is £10 at the door and free to all school children
Date
Sunday 30th August 2026
Time
3:00PM - 4:15PM
Location
Gatehouse Parish Church, Gatehouse of Fleet, DG7 2HL
Find tickets
Find out if tickets are available and purchase tickets on the venue's website