The sounds of opera music coming from the concert hall will provide a classical alternative to those that will be heard across the Quad on Saturday. While several musical acts will visit Bowdoin this weekend, the Bowdoin Chamber Choir will be putting on a show of its own during Ivies Weekend.
The show, held in Studzinski, is the concert version of Henry Purcell's opera "Dido and Aeneas," which was written in 1689 and is England's oldest opera. It is based on the fourth book of Virgil's "Aeneid" about the Queen of Carthage Dido and the Trojan Aeneas.
The general plot of the opera begins when Dido and Aeneas marry to pacify the relations between Carthage and Troy. A sorceress, however, plots the destruction of Dido and Carthage by sending an elf, disguised as the god Mercury, to convince Aeneas to leave Dido. Not wanting to displease the gods, he decides to leave, and once he does, the heartbroken Dido sings the famous aria "Dido's Lament" as both she and Carthage are destroyed.
The music of the opera, originally scored for a small group of women at a boarding school, will be performed by an ensemble cast of 20 voices accompanied by five instrumentalists from the Chamber Orchestra.
Additionally, two dancers from the Portland Ballet will be part of the cast.
"The ballet dancers from the Portland ballet are great," said Jordan Payne '12, a member of the chamber choir. "They mostly perform and interpret dramatic elements throughout the show to emphasize the text. Their choreography definitely adds a dramatic aspect to the show. Audience members might interpret them as angels, witches, or performers for members of the court."
Although the chamber choir is performing the "concert version" of the opera, theatrical elements such as staging, props, and costuming will be used.
"We are performing the opera in full. It is about an hour in length, and we will perform straight through with no interruptions," said director and Visiting Professor of Music Shannon Chase.
The role of Dido will be played by Zoe Eddy '10, Aeneas will be played by Matt Gray '08, Dido's sister and handmaiden Belinda will be played by Payne, and the sorceress will be played by Julia Bond '09. The fact that this production represents a semester-long project is not surprising given the size and difficulty of the task.
For Payne, "Dido and Aeneas" is her first experience with opera.
"Learning to be more of an opera singer as opposed to a musical theater performer has been a really cool experience," she said. "Even though it was a bit intimidating at first."
The accompanying chamber orchestra is comprised of two violins, played by Yojin Yoon '12 and Kim Ayers '10; a viola played by Professor of Music Mary Hunter; a bass played by David Yoon '11; and a harpsichord played by Delmar Small, the concert, budget, and equipment manager for the music department.
To have a performance of this type on campus that combines instrumental music, vocal music, and acting presents a unique opportunity to experience opera in a small and intimate setting.
There will be two performances of "Dido and Aeneas." The first will be on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and the second on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Kanbar Auditorium in Studzinski Recital Hall.