Dr. John McKean, our all important harpsichordist for our Dido production, provides some perspective on Dido’s famous lament “When I am laid in earth.”
Happy Halloween from the Boston Camerata!
This week, at the height of spooky season, we focus on the malefic part of Dido and Aeneas, with thoughts from Prof. Ellen T. Harris and two Sorcerers, as well as instrumental music for the Witches from our opera.
We hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween!
Filming Begins for Dido and Aeneas
Earlier this week we spent a gorgeous day filming some images that will be part of Dido and Aeneas: An Opera for Distanced Lovers, which is coming very soon! The Camerata soloists were joined by a group of students from Longy School of Music of Bard College, several of whom are singing supporting roles in the opera.
A Glimpse Behind the Scenes
Here’s Anne in the formal garden where some of the Dido action will be taking place, as we do a live video shoot in a few days. Learn about the sets and the settings for our innovative, multilayered production of Henry Purcell’s masterpiece.
Introducing…A New Logo!
We bid a fond “au revoir” to our friend the centaur, 
who hails from a Medieval manuscript preserved in an Avignon archive. But times change, and we want to adapt our Camerata “look,” as we face both challenges and opportunities in the seasons and years to come. Music lives!
Why is Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas so special?
Why does this brief work, less than an hour long, create such a powerful, emotional impact?
We’re fortunate to have Ellen T. Harris, eminent Baroque scholar and Professor Emeritus of Music at MIT, on our team. Dr. Harris, who quite literally wrote the book on Dido, will be delivering the pre-concert talk before our performance in November. Here she shares with us her thoughts about this incredible, compact musical drama.
Continue readingCelebrating the 40th Anniversary of Camerata’s First Dido
This week we will hear about the groundbreaking 1979 Camerata production and recording of Dido and Aeneas from Camerata Music Director Emeritus Joel Cohen and Board member David Griesinger.
Continue readingMeet Dido cast member Tahanee Aluwihare
Rising opera star Tahanee Aluwihare, who will be interpreting the role of Dido in Camerata’s new production of Purcell’s great masterpiece, shares with us her thoughts on this upcoming adventure.
“I am really looking forward to exploring this powerful feminine role with Tahanee, a major young talent on the North American music scene,” says Artistic Director Anne Azéma. “You can catch a glimpse of Tahanee’s enquiring spirit in this short clip.”
Shanah Tovah!
For some of us it is a New Year! To one and all, here are Camerata’s wishes for a season of firm resolve, courage, and hope, as we strive to make the world a better place.
One such striver was Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. According to Jewish tradition, those who die on the New Year are “tsadikim,” persons of unusual righteousness. And so it is, surely, with her.
This medieval hymn, “Lord of the World,” is heard here in a majestic setting for double choir by Salomone Rossi (1565-1628).
Translation:
My Rock in sorrow’s darkest day;
A Help and Refuge unto me,
My Portion sure, my Shield and Stay.
…. I will not fear.
A Lament for Lost Lives
- to those who perished in the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001
- to the victims of COVID-19 and all those who have been hurt by this pandemic
- to victims of cruelty, racism and racist violence
- to those who have recently lost loved ones; our recent losses at Camerata include Don Wilkinson and Tim Evans
The soloist in this consoling performance is Patrick Mason.
Anne Azéma, Artistic Director
Joel Cohen, Music Director Emeritus