PRESENTED BY OPERA QUEENSLAND IN ASSOCIATION WITH CIRCA

A pair of lovers. An evil sorceress. A doomed affair.

Dido and Aeneas, the timeless tale of love and tragedy, takes on a contemporary twist as Opera Queensland collaborates with Circa, fusing Baroque opera with the daring artistry of acrobatics. Henry Purcell’s 1689 masterpiece, renowned for its poignant narrative, finds new life in this ground-breaking production.

Following our acclaimed production of Orpheus and Eurydice, which toured Sydney Opera House this year, this new collaboration promises to be another unforgettable experience.

This extraordinary performance transcends genres, seamlessly blending the elegance of classical opera with the breathtaking physicality of acrobatics. Inspired by Virgil’s epic, the opera tells the story of the ill-fated romance between Dido, Queen of Carthage, and Aeneas, the shipwrecked Trojan prince, thwarted by the malevolent Sorceress and Dido’s inner turmoil.

Prepare to be enthralled by a spectacle that harmonises live instruments, chorus, vocals, and gravity-defying circus feats, where every movement encapsulates the libretto’s emotion. Traditional opera enthusiasts will revel in its artistic brilliance, while those seeking innovation will be captivated by its grandeur, optimal duration, and a narrative that tugs at the heartstrings.

Dido and Aeneas promises a mesmerising fusion of art forms, an experience like no other, where the beauty of voice and the poetry of motion unite on a singular stage.

★★★★★
“A new benchmark for opera production in Australia.” – Limelight 

★★★★
“Sublime, erotic, dangerous: 80 minutes of baroque astonishment.” – Brisbane Times

“A privilege to witness.” – InReview

Sung in English
Running time – approximately 70 minutes with no interval

CREATIVE TEAM

Conductor Benjamin Bayl
Director, Stage Design Yaron Lifschitz
Costume Design Libby McDonnell
Lighting Design Matthew Marshall
Associate Director Rani Luther
Circa Associate Director Benjamin Knapton
Chorus Master Narelle French

CAST
Dido Anna Dowsley
Aeneas Sebastian Maclaine
Belinda Katie Stenzel
Second Lady Emily Turner
First Witch Hayley Sugars
Second Witch Shikara Ringdahl
Spirit Jessica Low
Sailor Lachlann Lawton

ENSEMBLE SOLOISTS
Katie Stenzel, Emily Turner, Hayley Sugars, Shikara Ringdahl, Jessica Low, Lachlann Lawton

OPERA QUEENSLAND ENSEMBLE
Sean Andrews, Matthew Broadbent, Ryan Carlson, Adele King, Andrew Lange, Lachlann Lawton, Jessica Low, Jon Maskell, Elizabeth McBride, Shikara Ringdahl, Katie Rutledge, Katie Stenzel, Hayley Sugars, Emily Turner,  Connor Willmore, Jia-Peng Yeung.

CIRCA ARTISTS
Jessica Connell, Luke Pearce, Joshua Strachan, Adam Strom, Darby Sullivan, Chelsea Hall, Rowan Allinson, Charlotte Cayer, Rhiannon Cave-Walker, Jon Bonaventura

Ensemble of Opera Queensland and Circa artists
Queensland Symphony Orchestra

Dido and Aeneas is supported by the Frazer Family Foundation