The proceeds of Dido and Aeneas are presented to the Earl Mountbatten Hospice by organiser Rene Mairis, left, and Angi Millard, who played Dido, right, to hospice fundraiser Karen Eeles, centre.
MUSICHENRY Purcell’s masterpiece Dido and Aeneas is rarely heard because it takes a wealth of talent to perform his short but challenging work.
So it was a privilege to be among the select few who were treated to a performance of opera at Westover, the beautiful home of John and Caroline Weeks.
After a pre-performance talk, the opera was performed complete.
All the soloists were excellent. Angi Millard was Dido and her lament brought tears to many eyes.
Philip Fryer sang the part of Aeneas with flair, we even believed he was full of remorse.
Siobhan Cosgrove was a fine Belinda and the evil witches, Judith Hunt and Kathy Howells, led by Eleanor Boulter, as the sorceress, were fittingly sinister.
The versatile chorus sang sweetly as cherubs, grandly as courtiers and horribly as cackling fiends, adding a comic touch to the generally sombre tale of betrayal and despair.
The string quartet of James Humphries, Ian Surnam, Sandy Hunt and Philip Grainger provided sensitive accompaniment to the vocal music and rousing instrumental sections.
Tickets were free but donations were given to the Earl Mountbatten Hospice, with £410 raised.
Thanks to all the musicians who gave their time and expertise to this venture, the Weeks for the use of Westover, Ann White for the use of the harpsichord and everyone who came and helped make the event a success.