Purcell: Dido and Aeneas (complete opera). San Francisco Girls Chorus & Voices of Music | 4K video

Purcell's Opera Dido and Aeneas, complete. Live, 4K ultra high definition video from the award winning performance at the Berkeley Early Music Festival, June, 2018.
This concert won the San Francisco Classical Voice "Best of the Bay" award in three categories: Best opera performance, best choral performance and best Early Music performance. For this performance, musicologists David Tayler and Hanneke van Proosdij reconstructed the choral parts from the original manuscripts.
Complete program and libretto: bit.ly/Dido_Li...
The San Francisco Girls Chorus directed by Valérie Sainte-Agathe; Voices of Music directed by Hanneke van Proosdij and David Tayler. Visit us on the web!
SFGC: www.sfgirlscho...
VOM: www.voicesofmu...
DIDO AND AENEAS
An opera perform'd at Mr. Josias Priest's Boarding School
at Chelsey by Young Gentlewomen.
The words made by Mr. NAT. TATE
The music composed by Mr. HENRY PURCELL
Dramatis Personae
Mindy Ella Chu as Dido, Queen of Carthage
Jesse Blumberg as Aeneas
Emma Powell as Belinda
Nia Spaulding as the 2nd Woman
Calla Kra-Caskey as the Sorceress
Lola Miller-Henline as the Spirit of the Sorceress (Mercury)
Allegra Kelly as the Sailor
Audrey Johnson as the First Witch
Marie Johnson as the Second Witch
Caroline Sloan as the Third Witch
Isabel Yang as the Fourth Witch
Performers
Voices of Music
Elizabeth Blumenstock, Kati Kyme, Carla Moore*, Maxine Nemerovski, Gabrielle Wunsch and Alana Youssefian, baroque violin
Maria Caswell and Toma Iliev, baroque viola
Adaiha MacAdam-Somer and William Skeen**, baroque cello
Farley Pearce, violone
Katherine Heater, organ
David Tayler, archlute
Hanneke van Proosdij, harpsichord
*concertmaster
** continuo cello
San Francisco Girls Chorus
Valérie Sainte-Agathe, Artistic Director
Justin Montigne, Director of Voice Studies
Soprano
Zoë Brunsdon
Isabela Colmenar
AnaKatrina Cortado
Lucy Downes
Samantha Fung-Lee
Ava Gaughan
Jessica He
Eva Jackson
Audrey Johnson
Georgia Jones
Allegra Kelly
Victoria Ko
Emma Powell
Eliana Schiller
Caroline Sloan
Nia Caiani Spaulding
Delilah Whitaker
Alto
Jungah Ahn
Audrey Chandler
BeaAlyssa Cortado
Elisabeth Easton
Rohini Govier
Kelsey Greenberg
Sadie Habas
Marie Johnson
Olivia Kendrick
Calla Kra-Caskey
Maggie Lu
Nicole Lyons
Eva Melin-Gompper
Lola Miller-Henline
Angela Panich
Jennifer Park
Annika Pyo
Gabriella Vulakh
Isabel Yang
#Dido #BestoftheBay #DidosLament
High Definition Audio: Boby Borisov
Final audio and video master: David Tayler

[@sundancer77]

i mean, for real, is there just anything more awesome in life than being a trained classical musician?

[@AnaleeWeaverLaVoz]

I listened to this four times today. Then youtube sent me to 3 or 4 other performances. This one is absolutely the best. I heard everything from grandish opera with jessye Norman to smaller venues. Nothing compares to this performances. The girl's choir with their beautiful sweet voices bettered anyone out there. And the main soloists were spectacular. No comparison to other performances in the interpretation tinged with sadness and not bombast. This is a great performance to spend an afternoon in the vegetable garden with... then in the kitchen.... then walking the dogs...then tomorrow. Thank you all very much for this very special and beautiful performance. Love 💘 it.

[@VoicesofMusic]

You are very welcome.

[@jonathantofts6444]

This is my all time favourite opra. The performance is just stunning. I wish I could of been there to hear it live. When the choir sang from the back of the hall with the Orchestra still playing at the front the sound must been amazing. Well done to all performers. This is outstanding.

[@marcelosguim1]

Nilton tvvg9

[@Lawh]

This is the only opera that I enjoy for some reason. This performance is new to me but it seems to be one of the best renditions I have ever heard of it.

[@Allataria]

It's so hard to find phenomenal interpretations of this period of English music these days. As a Brit, I thank you for this. So many people get fake 'classical music' stuffed into their ears by TV and advertising that it's refreshing to hear a performance as clean and accurate as this. Händel's Semele please!

[@VoicesofMusic]

Semele! Would love to film Semele.

[@montserratgali9968]

Una interpretación perfecta.

[@Richard22444]

Purcell avait une audace aussi grande que son génie ! Il est toujours étonnant, captivant ... L' interprétation est altière et remarquable !

[@theoldruminator]

What can be said beyond the music and performance itself. This is divine and Purcell is smiling somewhere. I am completely blown away by the musicianship, the excellence. I am drawn back in time and can imagine listening to the earliest performances of this inspiring and emotional music. The San Francisco Girls Choir is magnificent. The soloists are impeccable. The acoustics are perfect. I have tears in my eyes...just like one of the ladies in the audience at the conclusion who can hardly hold back the tears inspired by such beauty. Congratulations Voices of Music for all that you do. You are perfect.

[@donnagoring250]

Old Ruminator,. You said what many of us think! Purcell must be smiling up there!

[@jamesbell7220]

The brilliance reduces me to laughing out loud in awe and amazement. fan TAS tic! A thrill!

[@kendanziger8072]

Please send someone over to pick me up from the floor. I’m a mess. The clearest and best of all performances in my experience and though J Baker was and is unsurpassable, nevertheless this had the greater impact. The cumulative effect was a musical and a spiritual experience. Congratulations to all involved.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you!

[@fiandrhi]

That was the most affecting performance of Dido I've ever seen. I love that this is sung by such young people. I can feel their enthusiasm and love of the music.

[@Lizbethduchi]

It was originally performed by a girls school all the way back in 1680ies! I thought that was so cool. Rarely were things written for women's choirs it seems. It's all about the boys choirs in the choral world.

[@loujan2945]

Impressive. Purcell just told me he was listening somewhere behind the scene and that he was deeply moved. I shared the emotion with him.

[@sasha42196]

If you're clairvoyant, there is more use for you than talking to Purcell...

[@loujan2945]

@@sasha42196 😁

[@androandro8231]

Very popular Dido's cover by Ann Lennox provided me first to original Lament (Purcell), and after to whole opera. Now i dont listen just Lament, i listen opera from first to last note. This version is the best for me.

[@jean-pierredjukic155]

The choir is just fantastic, this ancient musik ain't easy stuff to sing for unaware singers, it sounds like these ladies are perfectly skilled, I wonder where they were educated to sing so nicely with such clear voices. The baroque "r" rolling is just perfect, probably not the easiest thing to learn for an average US singer :). Brava !

[@chrisleslienyc]

Such a strange comment about pronouncing an R. It takes little effort to find out that Mindy Ella Chu (Dido) is more than just an average American. She completed her postgrad studies at Yale, performs internationally, and wins awards. Similarly, the award-winning San Francisco Girls Chorus has been around for more than 40 years and has provided opportunities for many singers.

[@aleop2288]

@@chrisleslienyc Oh, I like very much indeed all this! Thank you!

[@terryamstutz2028]

What a great performance!!!! I was riveted from the start. Could not tear myself away. Wish this was on CD.

[@dualazmaka4861]

Just wonderful! A lot of tears in my eyes.....

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you so much.

[@romanrichards1607]

The clarity and brilliance of this production leaves one speechless.

[@nicholasworskett611]

This is a wonderful performance, with Mindy Ella Chu's rendition of the lament capping it all. The scattering of roses amongst the audience at the end is a sublime and unforgettable gesture. Thank you to all concerned.

[@AnaleeWeaverLaVoz]

I have listened to this at least a dozen times or more. And "when I am laid..." probably 50 times while singing along. I did this as a solo thirty years ago in a solo singing class. Loved to hear it from such a wonderful pro. Glad to be a subscriber.

[@luzanwerts4553]

Tot tranen geroerd en toen ontdekte ik ook nog, dat de director of music Nederlandse is. Plaatsvervangend trots! Met dank voor een fantastische muzikale ervaring en hartelijke groet uit Amsterdam.

[@peteacher52]

Since 1966 I have rated Purcell's music with what J J Bach wrote up to age 37. Purcell's early death was a national calamity and it almost staggers the imagination to think of what he would have composed if he'd lived another 30 years. Other composers also died young, I know; the above is a personal take.

[@albertrichard8632]

Enfin la musique et les chants de Purcell tels qu'ils ont dû être interprétés lors des premières représentations à l'école de filles de Chelsea en 1689. C'est un vrai plaisir. Merci à tous les artistes qui sont intervenus dans cette œuvre musicale. Finally the music and songs of Purcell as they had to be performed during the first performances at the Boarding School for Girls, at Chelsea in 1689. It's a real pleasure. Thank you to all the artists involved in this work.

[@henkgertlenten]

Purcell’s Pure Perfection

[@hjkaye]

Fantastic performance, and as always kudos to your recording engineer!

[@VoicesofMusic]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@spydersweb2]

This is an electric performance! The highest kudos to these most excellent performers!

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thanks so much!

[@seanmarshall7529]

Just listened to Norman's interpretation of Dido's lament.. finally fresh air.. you are GOOD!

[@seanmarshall7529]

Ready for valium! Lol.. im more for a nuria rial, von Stade, Emma Kirkby.... Norman is a Ferrari with a f22 engine... power!

[@aeropilot4419]

I’m crying, how amazing 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@emilybarlaston]

I was so moved, I forgot to have my breakfast. Well done indeed to all!!!

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you.

[@alfonsomantecon5057]

Don't forget to eat your cereals!!

[@emilybarlaston]

@@alfonsomantecon5057 Indeed not! My favourite serial is EastEnders - so deliciously common...

[@Charlie-fx9dp]

In French, it's easier for me... Vous m'avez piégé, cette œuvre de Purcell, les Voices of Music, je n'ai pas pu résister... Je devais écouter tout ! Je n'ai pas été déçu... From France.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Merci!

[@liebemein]

Beautiful San Francisco Girls! Beautiful Purcell's Music! Thank you for sharing.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thanks for listening.

[@johnlintern4811]

Masterful musicianship combined with obvious enjoyment of music making is what one has come to expect from every performance of this top drawer ensemble in all its various manifestations. A real joy to watch, hear and profit from!

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thanks so much, John.

[@drche5978]

This is what i have been looking for. Absolutely amazing

[@fswechsler]

Beautiful opera and beautiful performance. Greetings from Brazil.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you very much!

[@grimjim100]

43.33 "When I am laid in Earth". This is the most beautiful performance of Dido I've heard. It is so much better than others due to the sweet singing and charm of the singers but also the superb playing by the orchestra. This band of mostly ladies from San Fransico must be heard in their concertos - they are simply wonderful!

[@oso_Peligroso]

I know this piece VERY well and I gotta say, this performance is GREAT! I listened to it rather than watch and it's spot on! Music, singing, sound... Just fantastic! The leads and witches were wonderful! "Oft she Visits" and "These lonesome vales" are my jam!! Good job everyone.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you very much!

[@jamberstone1]

Those are mt favorites too & i really love the way they performed them here

[@spartigerodimos9062]

Reading the above, dear Voices of Music, and considering all the renditions I have listen to from your uploads, I do not expect anything less. On the contrary. You deserve all the prizes.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thanks so much!

[@ichirofakename]

Dang how did I miss this performance? Superb.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thanks so much!

[@dottedeighth5285]

An amazing preformence! I just chanced upon this video and couldn't stop watching till the end!

[@ragan1425]

43:38 👏🏼 beautiful rendition

[@johns-mylifesmagic4774]

That was so enjoyable & performed with - I struggle for the right words - sincerity, composure , conviction & not least pleasure throughout. Delightful to hear. Greetings from England. 👏👏

[@richardbetton-foster3899]

This surely be the most beautiful opera since before Mozart's. A wonderful performance worthy of all its well deserved accolades,

[@MatthewWaltonWalton]

Exquisitely performed, and then that ending... what a way to finish!

[@Victor_Kirau]

The best English opera by the magnificent Henry Purcell! "Englishness" of classical music - in the absence of vibration of stringed instruments. This has its own charm. The best performance of a magnificent opera by Henry Purcell! The girls' choir at the end is amazing!

[@spartigerodimos9062]

I can’t wait!

[@cece444]

Sparti Gerodimos So am I!!I’ve played this piece 2 years ago, miss the Ritornello so much!!

[@PMS1950]

Wonderful performance. This is such a talented band of musicians, which never fails to beguile and in this instance, bewitch. Great stuff. Outstanding girls choir, too.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thanks so much!

[@jamiesonspencer3841]

@@VoicesofMusic Imagine the calibre of the students for whom Purcell wrote this!

[@KonsFuzius]

I don't understand how anyone could dislike this. :-/

[@VoicesofMusic]

Bummer.

[@richardwebb2348]

@@VoicesofMusic Wonderful performance. Maybe the thumbs down do not like period instrument performances. The first recording of Dido & Aeneas was in 1935, with Nancy Evans singing the part of Dido.

[@kimberlywood7783]

Maybe they had unrealized expectations.

[@bhuld0115]

Grumpy cat lives

[@tedwilks]

I suggest that it's a matter of taste; some like music from the Renaissance period; others like Baroque-era compositions. Still others prefer romantic-era works.

[@iuliandu]

Wow ! This is the best recording i have ever listened of this music ! Such a good taste in music and staging !!!

[@ollehedstrom3536]

Such a gorgeous, glourious piece of opera. Thanks for sharing.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Our pleasure!

[@spartigerodimos9062]

A pandaisia! Thank you so much, dear Voices of Music. Wish you all well!

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you, too!

[@mauvaldes6507]

BEST REGARDS!!!!!!! AMAIZING PERFORMANCE IN ALL YOUR INTERPRETATIONS!!!!!! MAURICE VALDES FROM LAGOS DE MORENO, JALISCO, UNITED MEXICAN STATES (MEXICO)

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you.

[@panzerabwerkanone]

I love this choir and the music of VoM!

[@Liamoconnor1208]

As usual so many excellent at the top of there game and Purcell’s music so lavish and tuneful , it wants to make you cry with wonder. Thank you all, I mean everyone from the design team, music producers and soloists

[@Ahqeter]

Remains my favorite ensemble on the Interwebs. I long to hear you in person when possible. Thank you.

[@VoicesofMusic]

You are very welcome.

[@gerardlacey9384]

That was absolutely fantastic, many thanks, I very much would love to have been there. My best wishes to you all. Gérard lacey in Ireland. Xxx

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thanks for tuning in, seems like a long time ago now....

[@krismarks1581]

What a wonderful gem! Beautiful piece and beautiful performance! Bravo and thank you!

[@VoicesofMusic]

You are very welcome

[@damonb.martin2409]

Hooray! I’ve been waiting for this!

[@peterholmes3011]

Lovely performance. Applause too for Purcell.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Yes! Applause for Purcell!

[@bobturnley2787]

This is a wonderful performance. So much easier to enjoy than stagings featuring bizarre costumes. The lovely singing of Mindy Ella Chu reminds me of the marvelous Tatiana Troyanos. Just beautiful and so moving.

[@navrozelalkaka8457]

truly gorgeous. Thanks all. You have no idea how your music heals God bless

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you.

[@paulkatz]

Some of the most beautiful music ever composed and well performed here.

[@pilarizquierdo3542]

Tengo la piel de gallina ,que bonito coro, bellísimas voces, grandes músicos y de lujo la directora. ¡Bravísimo! 🙏😍🌸🌈🎼💙💚💜🎶🎵🎻 Gracias.

[@giorgiolamborghini813]

Masterpiece of composition, masterpiece of execution!

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank so much!

[@surisuri8993]

Absolutely beautiful. Would have been so tempted to get someone on that organ performing there...

[@jamberstone1]

I am so glad you included the standing ovation!

[@zerotonic2659]

Beautiful. Nothing more to say. Apart from that: This very opera was the first I ever listened to. It was back in 1985. I was 15 years old and just discovered baroque music, which I instantly fell in love with. I bought me a record with this opera. Conducted by the genius Nicolaus Harnoncourt (R.I.P.) with his famous orchestra "Concentus Musicus Wien". The version of Concentus Musicus Wien was the first version of this Purcell opera I've ever listened to. And because of that it is my favourite version of all time. This version of Voices of Music sounds very similiar to the version of Concentus Musicus. With some minor differences (for example in the beginning of Act III: in the Concentus Musicus version it is sung by a male singer). But it reminds me so of my very first encounter with this beautiful piece of music that I nearly cried. Thank you very much for your music! (And pardon my bad English. I am from Germany...).

[@fabioamaraldifini]

This was a simply marvelous presentation of Henry Purcell's work. The quality of the individual voices, the choir and the orchestra was enviable. And the harpsichord-player/conductor was absolutely perfect, despite executing these two extremely complex tasks at the same time. In a single word, wonderful!

[@LobkeSprenkeling]

Wonderful as everything you perform! Thank you for sharing this great performance, it's such a delight to listen to! Many greetings!!

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you, Lobke.

[@jorge7326]

Beautiful girls and wonderfull music and voices

[@barrysmith7710]

Henry Purcell, what an extraordinary musica sensibility. And he died aged 36, I believe. Hendrix, Cobhain et al, eat your hearts out

[@laguna172]

I wasn't familiar with Purcell's operatic works -- this is a wonderful introduction to it. Beautifully sung and brilliant instrumental artistry!

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you very much!

[@derksoles5224]

I love how everyone is so enraptured in their performance! Aeneas and Dido's expressions, seeing Belinda and the other girls on the right sing animatedly during the start of Act III, the witches' laughter, it really adds to the beautiful performance.

[@schulnot511]

I do not find words. Extraordinary.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thanks so much!

[@alanl2550]

Magnificent! We thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful performance. Thank you all👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💙💙💙

[@VoicesofMusic]

Our pleasure! Stay safe.

[@johngtrotman]

Gosh, what a treat to discover this performance! Bravo!

[@paulwinnan4950]

This is simply beautIful. I am playing it constantly. I have seen many interpretations, some nice, some dreadfully presented, by other groups, but this, by my favourite ensemble, is outstandingly the best. The clarity of the voices and superbly recorded sound and video is spot on. As always. The combination of such talented baroque musicians and the perfect singing by the girls choir is just magic. Their singing makes me think of the Christmas period. Henry Purcell knew what he was doing! If Voices of Music were to release CDs or DVDs am sure many would purchase. Paul W. England.

[@seansweeney7009]

An Aurora of emotions and excellence. I hope and wish you all the best. 😁😁😁🍀🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💥

[@zekesdad5518]

Sadly I missed this amazing performance. So very glad it was posted. Simply brilliant... as always.

[@dd07871]

26:50: I always love listening to a bass and harpsichord running like this. Just beautiful.

[@SRTuppan]

MMM : Muito Massa Mesmo !!! 🙌 Good Vibrations! Poetic Greetings from Recife, Brasil!

[@dalgabry7954]

Oggi per la prima volta sto ascoltado quest'opera meravigliosa .Grande Purcel

[@antoniocorti3617]

Stupendi,no ci sono parole in grado di esprimere le emozioni che provo.

[@Liamoconnor1208]

The roses at the end brought tears to my eyes as the singing continued. I see I wasn’t the only one. Long live this team

[@MitchBoucherComposer]

Amazing! I appreciate all the hard work and dedication that went into this performance.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you very much!

[@MitchBoucherComposer]

@@VoicesofMusic You're very welcome!

[@federicociancio4786]

Maravillosas esas niñas!!! Muy emocionante es verlas cantar y expresarse y ver como lo disfrutan.

[@lordmashie]

The way the Dido solo at 41:26 transitions into the glorious chorus after (which is probably my favourite part of the opera) is just *chef's kiss*

[@isabelneiradelano2152]

Desde Santiago de Chile, les expreso mis felicitaciones. Es la interpretación de Dido y Eneas de Purcell más hermosa que he escuchado en la vida. ¡Bravísimo Voices of Music y bravísimo San Francisco Girls Chorus!

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you!

[@electricfence61]

Absolutely amazing! The array of talent gathered together in this one performance is stunning! Thanks to one and all!👍👍👍👍

[@VoicesofMusic]

Our pleasure!

[@johnsevrin3806]

You are my favorite orchestra.Thank you for existing!

[@VoicesofMusic]

:)

[@VideosCoriaCaceres]

Perfectos las interpretaciones y la puesta en escena, el espacio y el sonido. Emocionante música: con Purcell es fácil 😀 Perfect performances and staging, space and sound. Exciting music: with Purcell it's easy. Performances et mise en scène parfaites, espace et son. Musique passionnante : avec Purcell, c'est facile

[@johnkramer2866]

"On Earth ....... in another beautiful (musical )world. Perfect English lyrics.

[@piolinochenta9028]

Sublime y gracias por compartir saludos desde Altamira México 🇲🇽👍🚓

[@Victor_Kirau]

I've been listening 10 times already ... Tears... Especially at the end ... Chorus of girls ..

[@leerhode1021]

I just love the very generous applause at the end.

[@larryd2439]

A beautiful piece of music, a wonderful performance.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you.

[@paco3385]

Magnifique ! MERCI

[@xieouyang1341]

What a wonderful production of this small, yet magnificently large opera.

[@VoicesofMusic]

Thank you, it was so much fun to perform this with SFGC.

[@superTeoric]

No es a lo que estoy acostumbrado, pero me gustó mucho. ¡Excelente!

[@mrlondellsgroovymovies]

The pool of talent you guys can choose from is amazing!

[@1earflapping]

So beautiful! Thank you.

[@goscott444]

GOD bless SFGC&V in the name of Jesus! Fantastic!😍

[@sirtom23]

Absolutely exceptional.

[@floridante15]

When a musical masterpiece meets such inspired musicians and performers, the miracle of pure beauty happens. Thanks to all of you for all this beauty!