Ithaca College Theatre Arts presents “Dido and Aeneas,” written by Henry Purcell, with libretto by Nahum Tate. Opening on Feb. 20 in the Hoerner Theatre, “Dido and Aeneas” is a mythical opera based on Virgil’s “Aeneid” that has been dynamically reimagined in a festival filled with lights, extravagance, and spectacle.
Carthage is ruled by a fierce queen, who has fallen for a Trojan prince. When the sorceress spots this weakness in the queen, she utilizes her powers to control the fate of Carthage and its matriarch. Evil, sorcery and love battle against one another, and the disaster that ensues is captivating.
“I thrive on the challenge of creating an event that will always be performed live and will rely on the use of living stagecraft to convey the message of the piece,” said Director Norm Johnson, adding that he is excited about the lessons portrayed in the opera’s telling of this story and the accomplished talents that collaborate in order to tell it.
“Dido and Aeneas” is a collaboration of IC’s prestigious School of Music and the renowned theatre arts program in IC’s School of Humanities and Sciences. These schools attract students from across the globe to learn from the best and brightest in the performing arts fields, and this production is an excellent opportunity to showcase the hard work of students and faculty at Ithaca College.