Dido & Aeneas

We don’t normally promote classical events on Folk Roots Radio as they are somewhat out with our remit, however, we’re pleased to mention this one because it takes place at Silence, the great community venue in Guelph, and – it is their first classical performance. Silence has been incredibly kind in welcoming our own shows to their wonderful space. It seemed only natural that we extend that kindness and promote this event for them.

On Tuesday April 14 at 8 p.m., Silence presents Dido & Aeneas, an evening of baroque opera and exquisite dance featuring the University of Toronto’s Schola Cantorum (dir. Daniel Taylor), Coleman Lemieux Dance Company and the Theatre of Early Music.

Dido & Aeneas
Tuesday April 14 2015 at 8 p.m.
$15 or PWYC
46 Essex, Guelph ON

“Daniel Taylor and the pure voices of the Theatre of Early Music breathe new life into the world of early music”

SYNOPSIS
At the dawn of the seventeenth century, a musical breakthrough emerged. Baroque music, unlike anything written until then, digs back to its humanistic roots, and gives meaning to the essence of the voice – in all simplicity and with all its complexities. Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas is a perfect representation of this moment in time. Based on Virgil’s Aeneid, the opera tells the story of Dido, the legendary Queen of Carthage, and Aeneas, the Trojan Prince and refugee with whom the Queen falls in love.

Theatre of Early Music
Founded by Artistic Director and Conductor Daniel Taylor, the Theatre of Early Music (TEM) are sought-after interpreters of magnificent yet neglected choral repertoire from four centuries. Appearances include stunning a cappella programs, with practices and aesthetics of former ages informing thought-provoking, passionate and committed reconstructions of music for historical events and major works from the oratorio tradition. Through their concert performances and recordings, the 10 – 20 solo singers offer a purity and clarity in their sound which has resulted in invitations from an ever-widening circle of the world’s leading stages.

Coleman Lemieux Dance Company
Founded in Quebec in 2000 by individually renowned dancers/choreographers Bill Coleman and Laurence Lemieux, Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie (CLC) has distinguished itself by its innovative, unbridled artistic vision. CLC creates, produces and presents varied works on a local, national and international scale. The Company has toured across Canada, into the United States (where they headlined the Jacob’s Pillow Festival and appeared at Fall for Dance in New York City and in several other major cities), and to Brazil, China, Russia and was the first modern dance company to perform in Mongolia.

Schola Cantorum
Founded in 2012 by Daniel Taylor, the University of Toronto Schola Cantorum aims to present the brilliant early choral and instrumental repertoire from across the centuries to a new audience. The group’s interpretations strive to recreate the original performances of musical works — interpretations led by the energy and insights of the gifted students themselves — in the belief that historical performance ideals and knowledge of the old world are essential for creating music anew. The Schola Cantorum includes students from all levels of study (Bachelor in Music, Master in Music and Doctoral Candidates). Canada has many university choral ensembles, however the Schola Cantorum is the only large scale group using period instruments and historically informed performance practices to reveal the beauty of baroque and early repertoire.