To Carthage – Kids’ Purcell Inspiration
Posted on January 1, 2009
Chorlton Kids turn to Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas for inspiration
During December 2008 and January 2009, 25 pupils from Chorlton High School worked with composer Richard Barnard, dramatist Anna Jewitt, Camerata musicians and vocal students from RNCM to develop a prequel to Dido and Aeneas.
| Telling the part of the story that Purcell missed out, the young people developed and wrote their own libretto and set this to music, as well as creating movement and dance for the final performance, which was a precursor and set the scene for Manchester Camerata’s performance of Dido and Aeneas at the RNCM on the 17th January 2009.
The artistic inspiration and influences on the piece were many: Purcellian techniques were placed alongside the folk music of modern-day Tunisia (where Dido established her city of Carthage), Dizzy Gillespie riffs, and West African drumming, giving a simultaneously historical and modern feel to the performance, and reflecting the heritages and experiences of the participants. |
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The project was supported by The Foyle Foundation, D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, and RNCM.
