Purcell: Dido and Aeneas

Henry Purcell: Dido and Aeneas
An opera
The Deller Consort - Alfred Deller, dir.
Vanguard "The Bach Guild" BG-664 [LP, mono, NA]
Vanguard "The Bach Guild" BGS-70 664 [LP, stereo, NA]
Vanguard "The Bach Guild" VTC 1692 [Reel tape, 4 tracks]
Amadeo AVR 5045 [LP, mono, Europe]
Amadeo AVRS 5045 [LP, stereo, Europe]
Vanguard "Everyman classics" SRV 279 SD [LP]
Vanguard "The Bach Guild" HM 46 SD [LP, stereo, NA]
Vanguard Classics (Arcade) "The Bach Guild" 08 2032 71 [CD, Europe]
Vanguard Classics (Arcade) "Alfred Deller Edition" 300 333-2 [CD, France]
Vanguard (Arcade) Classics "Alfred Deller Edition" 08 5100 71 [CD, Europe]

Contents:

    Henry Purcell: Dido and Aeneas
  1. Overture

    2. Act I

  2. Shake the cloud from off your brow (Belinda; Chorus)
  3. Ah! Belinda, I am press'd with torment (Dido)
  4. Grief increases by concealing ... (Belinda, Dido)
  5. When monarchs unite, how happy their state (Chorus)
  6. Whence could so much virtue spring (Dido, Belinda)
  7. Fear no danger to ensue (Belinda, Second Woman; Chorus)
  8. See, your royal guest appears (Belinda, Aeneas, Dido)
  9. Cupid only throws the dart (Cupid)
  10. If not for mine, for empire's sake (Aeneas)
  11. Pursue thy conquest, Love (Belinda)
  12. To the hills and the vales (Chorus)
  13. The Triumphing Dance

    14. Act II

  14. Prelude for the Witches
  15. Wayward sisters, you that fright (Sorceress, First Witch)
  16. Harm's our delight and mischief all our skill (Chorus)
  17. The Queen of Carthage, whom we hate (Sorceress)
  18. Ha, ha, ha (Chorus)
  19. Ruin'd ere the set of sun (Witches, Sorceress)
  20. Ha, ha, ha (Chorus)
  21. But ere we this perform (Witches)
  22. In our deep vaulted cell (Chorus)
  23. Echo Dance of the Furies
  24. Ritornello
  25. Thanks to these lonesome vales (Belinda, Chorus)
  26. Oft she visits this lov'd mountain (Second Woman)
  27. Behold, upon my bending spear (Aeneas, Dido)
  28. Haste, haste to town (Belinda, Chorus)
  29. Stay, Prince, and hear great Jove's command (Spirit, Aeneas)

    30. Act III

  30. Prelude for the sailors
  31. Come away, fellow sailors (First Sailor, Chorus)
  32. The Sailors' Dance
  33. See the flags and streamers curling (Sorceress; Witches)
  34. Our next motion (Sorceress)
  35. Destruction's our delight (Chorus)
  36. The Witches' Dance (Jack of the Lanthorn Dance)
  37. Your counsel all is urg'd in vain (Dido, Belinda, Aeneas)
  38. Great minds against themselves conspire (Chorus)
  39. Thy hand, Belinda (Dido)
  40. When I am laid in earth (Dido)
  41. With drooping wings ye Cupids come (Chorus)

Playing time: 54' 06"

Performers:
The Deller Consort
Mary Thomas (Dido, soprano), Honor Sheppard (Belinda, First Witch & First Attendant Woman, soprano), Maurice Bevan (Aeneas, baritone), Helen Watts (contralto, Sorceress), Robert Tear (Spirit and Sailor, tenor), Ellen Dales (2nd Witch & 2nd Attendant Woman, soprano
Oriana Concert Choir and Orchestra
Harold Lester (harpsichord)
Alfred Deller, cond.

Recording site and date:
Europe [1964];
Rel.: 1964

Reviewed in:
Diapason (#-p.): 105-26 (march 1966 (as Amadeo)), 401-130 (february 1994 (as 08 2032 71), 420-180 (november 1995 (as 300 333-2)
Gramophone (Vol./#-p.):
Fanfare (Vol./#-p.):

Comments:
Information from LP & CD and Nancy Freudenthal.

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To FAQ references to this recording.

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Pierre-F. Roberge