Dartmouth Events

Brentano String Quartet and Dawn Upshaw Dido Reimagined

A rethinking of Purcell's beloved opera that takes us into the inner psyche of the proud Queen of Carthage. Co-commissioned by the Hop.

Saturday, October 1, 2022
7:30pm – 9:00pm
Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center for the Arts
Intended Audience(s): Public
Categories: Arts, Lectures & Seminars, Performances
Registration required. Fee required. Tickets required.

The Brentano String Quartet brings the doomed love story to life, starting the first half of the program with a contrasting, yet complimentary, mix of early English works for consort of viols and songs. The result is a luminous intimacy, beautifully private that the audience feels the privilege of eavesdropping on an undefended and vulnerable expression. And the culmination is Dido's famous lament, the intensely intimate plea confessed to a friend, as she relinquishes her hold on life.

The second half, co-commissioned by the Hop, sees Pulitzer-winning composer Melinda Wagner and librettist Stephanie Fleischmann breathe new life into Dido. They imagine her psyche, her vulnerability and her strength. Dawn Upshaw becomes Dido and explores Dido's raw honesty, allowing us to probe into the emotional richness inherent in her predicament.

Don't miss a pre-show talk with the artists at 6:15 pm in Top of the Hop.

Learn more and get tickets here

For more information, contact:
Hopkins Center for the Arts
603-646-2422

Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.