Purcell: Dido & Aeneas in ChelseaVersion de concert

The Beginnings of Opera in Britain

As part of the Chelsea History Festival, a semi-staged performance in the historic setting of Chelsea Old Church, near the site of the first documented performance of Dido in 1689. 

Henry Purcell’s celebrated opera Dido and Aeneas was his only stage work that can be truly called an opera, and the first known performance was given in 1689 at Josiah Priest’s girls’ school in Chelsea, a short distance from present-day Chelsea Old Church and possibly attended by Queen Mary.

Using the superb voices of their professional choir alongside top soloists and established Baroque period-instrument ensemble, The Old Church Players, we will bring alive the spirit of that first performance in the historic setting of Chelsea Old Church with a concert version of what is regarded as the great theatrical masterpiece by the foremost English composer of the Baroque period.

Please visit this website of the Chelsea Heritage Quarter to purchase tickets.

Duration - one hour, refreshments available afterwards in Petyt Hall.