Dido and Aeneas (Z. 626) is an opera in a prologue and three acts, written by the English Baroque composer Henry Purcell with a libretto by Nahum Tate. The dates of the composition and first performance of the opera are uncertain. It was composed no later than July 1688, and had been performed at Josias Priest's girls' school in London by the end of 1689. Some scholars argue for a date of composition as early as 1683. The story is based on Book IV of Virgil's Aeneid. It recounts the love of Dido, Queen of Carthage, for the Trojan hero Aeneas, and her despair when he abandons her. A monumental work in Baroque opera, Dido and Aeneas is 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.
Henry Purcell & Nahum Tate's opera "Dido & Aeneas" premieres at Josias Priest's girls' school in Chelsea, London
Dido and Aeneas (Z. 626) is an opera in a prologue and three acts, written by the English Baroque composer Henry Purcell with a libretto by Nahum Tate.
Events Before
City council of Amsterdam votes to support Prince William of Orange's invasion of England, known as "The Glorious Revolu
City council of Amsterdam votes to support Prince William of Orange's invasion of England, known as "The Glorious Revolution" in the Netherlands
Prince William of Orange accepts invitation to take up the British crown
Prince William of Orange accepts invitation to take up the British crown
King James II, the last Roman Catholic British monarch, flees to France from William of Orange
James Francis Edward Stuart (10 June 1688 – 1 January 1766), also known as the Old Pretender, was the senior House of Stuart claimant to the thrones of England, Ireland and Scotland from 1701 until...
Quakers consider drafting formal protest of slavery in Germantown, Pennsylvania
Quakers consider drafting formal protest of slavery in Germantown, Pennsylvania
"Germantown Quaker Petition Against Slavery": Francis Daniel Pastorius presents 1st formal written protest against Afric
"Germantown Quaker Petition Against Slavery": Francis Daniel Pastorius presents 1st formal written protest against African-American slavery in English colonies in Germantown, Pennsylvania
Events After
Army of Protestant King William III of England defeats deposed Roman Catholic King James II in the Battle of the Boyne a
Army of Protestant King William III of England defeats deposed Roman Catholic King James II in the Battle of the Boyne at Oldbridge, Ireland
Joseph I, later Holy Roman Emperor and son of Emperor Leopold I, becomes King of the Romans and King in Germany
Joseph I, later Holy Roman Emperor and son of Emperor Leopold I, becomes King of the Romans and King in Germany
The musical instrument, the clarinet, is invented in Nuremberg, Germany
The musical instrument, the clarinet, is invented in Nuremberg, Germany
Iroquois tribes renew their allegiance to the British in opposition to the French
Iroquois tribes renew their allegiance to the British in opposition to the French
French and Native American troops attack and destroy Schenectady settlement in New York Province, either killing or capt
French and Native American troops attack and destroy Schenectady settlement in New York Province, either killing or capturing its inhabitants, revenge for the Lachine massacre
More from the 1680s
First recorded boxing match is organized by Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle, between his butler and his butcher
First recorded boxing match is organized by Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle, between his butler and his butcher
French King Louis XIV marries Madame Maintenon
Louis XIV (5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715), also known as Louis the Great (Louis le Grand [lwi lə ɡʁɑ̃]) or the Sun King (le Roi Soleil [lə ʁwa sɔlɛj]), was King of France from 1643 until his...
Prince William of Orange, the future King William III of Britain, summons the Convention Parliament to discuss ruling jo
Prince William of Orange, the future King William III of Britain, summons the Convention Parliament to discuss ruling jointly with his wife, Mary, the daughter of the exiled King James II
Parliament of England adopts the Bill of Rights, establishing the rights of Parliament and placing limits on the Crown
The constitution of the United Kingdom comprises the written and unwritten arrangements that establish the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as a political body.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on December 30, 1689?
- Dido and Aeneas (Z. 626) is an opera in a prologue and three acts, written by the English Baroque composer Henry Purcell with a libretto by Nahum Tate. The dates of the composition and first performance of the opera are uncertain.
- Why is Henry Purcell & Nahum Tate's opera "Dido & Aeneas" premieres at Josias Priest... historically important?
- A monumental work in Baroque opera, Dido and Aeneas is 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.