Master Voices presents

DIDO & AENEAS

Along with a World Premiere PROLOGUE by Michael John La Chiusa

New York City Center
131 West 55th St.
NY NY 10019

28 and 29 April 2016

By Henry Purcell and Nahum Tate
Directed and Choreographed by Doug Verone
Conducted by Ted Sperling

Starring Kelli O’Hara, Victoria Clark, Elliot Madore, Anna Christy and Sarah Mesko


Any chance to see Kelli O’Hara and Victoria Clark must be taken, so as soon as I heard about this production I was determined to see it. Not only was I rewarded by their performances, but I was completely thrilled with the entire evening!

Although the music was lost centuries ago, Michael John La Chiusa composed a delightful score for the beginning prologue. Also added were a lot of cleverly funny bits that one wouldn’t expect in an evening of Baroque English Opera.

The Master Voices chorale is wonderful, rich, and they can move and act as well! They were the perfect backdrop for the solo artists. Also perfect were the dancers of Doug Varone’s company who worked in tandem with the chorale as the ultimate Greek Chorus. What a wonderful idea to use the dancers this way. Other dance companies have danced to the music of DIDO & AENEAS, but I doubt they’ve ever danced with DIDO & AENEAS before. The result was a beautiful, flowing and moving piece. Kudos to Doug Varone for all the incredible staging.

It comes as no surprise that Kelli O’Hara was flawless, her limpid voice caressing each note. Victoria Clark was also amazing not only with her lovely voice, but her terrific sense of fun made the villainous Sorceress absolutely delightful. Anna Christy also had a crystalline voice and Sarah Mesko’s rich mezzo played off Anna and Kelli’s voices gorgeously.

A special shout out to Christian Siriano for the stunning gowns that moved so beautifully on stage, adding to the fluid quality of the opera.

- Jean Tait -