Henry Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626" is a timeless masterpiece of Baroque opera, now presented in a stunning new recording by Warner Classics, set to release on 22 August 2025. This album captures the essence of Purcell's only surviving opera, a work renowned for its rich blend of tragic and comic elements, characteristic of 17th-century English theatre.
The opera, written with a libretto by Nahum Tate, tells the poignant story of Dido, the Queen of Carthage, and her ill-fated love for Aeneas, the Trojan hero. The album spans 52 minutes of exquisite choral and orchestral performances, showcasing Purcell's unparalleled ability to convey deep emotion and dramatic tension through music. Highlights include the hauntingly beautiful "Dido's Lament" ("When I Am Laid In Earth") and the vibrant "Sailors' Dance," offering a diverse and captivating listening experience.
This recording features the exceptional talents of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and renowned soloists, bringing Purcell's score to life with authenticity and passion. Whether you're a seasoned classical enthusiast or new to the genre, this album is a must-listen, offering a profound exploration of one of the most celebrated works in the Baroque repertoire.
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626: OvertureHenry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 1: "Shake the Cloud from off Your Brow" (Belinda)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Fatma Said, Il Pomo D'oro
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 1: "Banish Sorrow, Banish Care" (Chorus)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro, Il pomo d'oro Choir
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 1: "Ah! Belinda, I Am Pressed with Torment" (Dido)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro, Joyce DiDonato
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 1: "Grief Increases by Concealing" (Belinda, Dido)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Fatma Said, Il Pomo D'oro, Joyce DiDonato
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 1: "When Monarchs Unite, How Happy Their State" (Chorus)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro, Il pomo d'oro Choir
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 1: "Whence Could so Much Virtue Spring" (Dido, Belinda)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Fatma Said, Il Pomo D'oro, Joyce DiDonato
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 1: "Fear No Danger to Ensue" (Belinda, Attendant, Chorus)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Carlotta Colombo, Fatma Said, Il Pomo D'oro, Il pomo d'oro Choir
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 1: "See, See Your Royal Guest Appears" (Belinda, Aeneas, Dido)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Fatma Said, Il Pomo D'oro, Joyce DiDonato, Michael Spyres
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 1: "Cupid Only Throws the Dart" (Chorus)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro, Il pomo d'oro Choir
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 1: "If Not for Mine, for Empire’s Sake" - "Pursue Thy Conquest, Love" (Aeneas, Belinda)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Fatma Said, Il Pomo D'oro, Michael Spyres
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 1: "To the Hills and the Vales" (Chorus)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro, Il pomo d'oro Choir
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 1: The Triumphing DanceHenry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 2: Prelude for the Witches - "Wayward Sisters" - "Harm's Our Delight" - (Sorceress, First Witch, Chorus)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Alena Dantcheva, Beth Taylor, Il Pomo D'oro, Il pomo d'oro Choir
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 2: "The Queen of Carthage" - "Ho Ho Ho" (Sorceress, Chorus)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Beth Taylor, Il Pomo D'oro, Il pomo d'oro Choir
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 2: "Ruin’d Ere the Set of Sun" - "Ho Ho Ho" (First Witch, Second Witch, Sorceress, Chorus)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Alena Dantcheva, Anna Piroli, Beth Taylor, Il Pomo D'oro, Il pomo d'oro Choir
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 2: "But, Ere We This Perform" (First Witch, Second Witch)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Alena Dantcheva, Anna Piroli, Il Pomo D'oro
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 2: "In Our Deep Vaulted Cell" (Chorus)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro, Il pomo d'oro Choir
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 2: Echo Dance of the FuriesHenry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 2: RitornelleHenry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 2: "Thanks to These Lonesome Vales" (Belinda, Chorus)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Fatma Said, Il Pomo D'oro, Il pomo d'oro Choir
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 2: "Oft She Visits This Loved Mountain" (Attendant)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Carlotta Colombo, Il Pomo D'oro
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 2: "Behold, Upon My Bended Spear" (Aeneas, Dido)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro, Joyce DiDonato, Michael Spyres
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 2: "Haste, Haste to Town" (Belinda, Chorus)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Fatma Said, Il Pomo D'oro, Il pomo d'oro Choir
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 2: "Stay, Prince!" (Spirit, Aeneas)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Hugh Cutting, Il Pomo D'oro, Michael Spyres
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 3: "Come Away, Fellow Sailors" (Sailor, Chorus)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro, Il pomo d'oro Choir, Laurence Kilsby
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 3: The Sailors' DanceHenry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 3: "See, See, the Flags and Streamers Curling" (Sorceress, First Witch, Second Witch)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Alena Dantcheva, Anna Piroli, Beth Taylor, Il Pomo D'oro
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 3: "Our Next Motion Must Be to Storm" (Sorceress)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Beth Taylor, Il Pomo D'oro
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 3: "Destruction’s Our Delight" (Chorus)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro, Il pomo d'oro Choir
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 3: The Witches’ DanceHenry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 3: "Your Counsel, All Is Urg’d in Vain" (Dido, Belinda, Aeneas)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Fatma Said, Il Pomo D'oro, Joyce DiDonato, Michael Spyres
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 3: "But Death, Alas! I Cannot Shun" (Dido)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro, Joyce DiDonato
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 3: "Great Minds Against Themselves Conspire" (Chorus)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro, Il pomo d'oro Choir
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 3: "Thy Hand, Belinda" (Dido)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro, Joyce DiDonato
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 3: Dido's Lament. "When I Am Laid In Earth" (Dido)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro, Joyce DiDonato
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 3: "With Drooping Wings" (Chorus)Henry Purcell, Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'oro, Il pomo d'oro Choir
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