“Aeneas and Dido” to bring operatic change to UMaine

By Tracy Collins

Posted on Feb. 28, 2002, at 12:00 a.m.

Opera is not just for upper class Armani-clad New Yorkers, as University of Maine music enthusiasts are soon to discover.

On March 4, singers from the university will bring witchcraft and a love affair to the stage as they perform the first English opera, Henry Purcell’s classic “Dido and Aeneus.”

The opera, based on book four of Virgil’s “Aeneid,” is a romantic tragedy in Baroque style, revolving around two lead roles, according to Nancy Ogle, director of the opera. Aeneus, played by third-year Adam Scarpone, is a demigod, fated to establish a new Italian race. On his way to Italy, he encounters and falls in love with Dido, the queen of Carthage, played by third-year Liz Sauter. Their romance is doomed due to Aenes’ destiny to settle in Italy, and spirits, witches and gods help to bring the drama to its tragic end.

Written in the late 17th century, “Dido and Aenes” features soloists and duets, a small orchestra with a cellist, violinists and a harpsichord player and familiar melodies from “Dido’s Lament.”

It was originally written for a young gentlewoman finishing school, and unlike most operas, it allows the chorus to play as important a role as the main character, according to Ogle. This is the most sparkling moment of British opera, she said.

“If you like sorcery, sailors and romance, you’ll like this,”sophomore Kat Roy said.

Last spring, music students suggested putting on the well-known opera.

“It’s a great joy and surprise to me that this happened at all,” Ogle said. “I told students if they wanted to do it, they should study a part over the summer and come audition in the fall. Surprisingly, some students did it, and because of that, it was easy to get more to join us.”

As soon as the singers realized the possibility of performing the opera, interest grew, Ogle said.

“By December, we had two-thirds of the cast,” she said. “More people came and then the instrumentalists came to join us.”

The opera really grew out of student interest, Ogle said.

“Liz [Sauter] and I really pushed to do it,” Caroline Musica, who plays the role of Belinda, said of the opera. “It was the first English opera, so it allows for a great performance opportunity to perform a really important work,” Musica said.

Singers even purchased their individual scores, Musica said, because although the School of Performing Arts provided tech support, the university did not provide funding.

“For us, it’s easy to understand,” Roy said. “It’s an English opera, so you can hear what the words are.”

To watch the students own the style is gratifying, Ogle said.

“People who come will be pleased and proud to hear what opera can be. I expect a full house.”

The opera will be admission-free and will be held on March 4, at 7:30 p.m.

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