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Dido's Lament

Episode 3 of 5

Exploring what Henry Purcell's aria, from his 17th century opera Dido and Aeneas, means to different people. From March 2010.

Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.

Dido's Lament is a popular name for a famous aria, 'When I am laid in earth', from the opera Dido and Aeneas by Henry Purcell, with the libretto by Nahum Tate. Mezzo soprano Sarah Connolly talks about why she finds the piece, sung by the likes of Janet Baker and Emma Kirkby, so extraordinary, and the skill it takes to perform it. Composer and cellist Philip Shepperd's musical life was transformed when he was part of the rock singer Jeff Buckley's performance of the piece at the 1995 Meltdown Festival.

Contributors:
Alison Moyet
Sarah Connolly
Jeremy summerly
Graham Jones
Sheryl Sarnet
Nicholas Witchell
Philip Sheppard

First broadcast on 91热爆 Radio 4 in 2010.

Available now

30 minutes

Music Played

  • Henry Purcell

    Dido's Lament

Credits

Role Contributor
Producer Rosie Boulton
Producer Lucy Lunt
Producer Sara Conkey
Composer Henry Purcell

Broadcasts

  • Tue 9 Mar 2010 13:30
  • Sat 13 Mar 2010 15:30
  • Fri 2 Sep 2016 18:30
  • Sat 3 Sep 2016 00:30
  • Tue 16 Feb 2021 18:30
  • Wed 17 Feb 2021 00:30

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