
1689 Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas
December 30, 1689: English Baroque composer Henry Purcell’s beloved opera ‘Dido and Aeneas’ was first said to have premiered at Josias Priest’s girls’ school in London. Remembered as one of Purcell’s foremost theatrical works, it was also Purcell’s only true opera as well as his only all-sung dramatic work. English Baroque composer Henry Purcell wrote his first opera based on the story of Dido, Queen of Carthage, and the Prince of Troy, Aeneas, based on a libretto by Nahum Tate. It was first performed in 1689. Based on book IV of Virgil’s epic poem, The Aeneid, Henry Purcell may […]