Program

Henry Purcell, Celestial music did the gods inspire Z322

I. Symphony

II. Celestial music did the gods inspire

III. Her charming strains expel tormenting care

IV. Thus Virgil's genius lov'd the country best

V. Whilst music did improve Amphion's song

VI. When Orpheus sang all nature did rejoyce

VII. Let Phyllis her voice but charm the air

Henry Purcell, Dido and Æneas

Overture

I: "Ah Belinda, I am press'd with torment"

I : "Grief increases by concealing"

I: "When monarchs unite, how happy their state"

I: "Whence could so much virtue spring"

I: "Fear no danger to ensue"

I: "See our royal guest appears"

I: "Cupid only throws the dart"

I: "If not for mine, for Empire's sake"

I: "Pursue thy conquest, Love"

I: "To the hills and the vales"

I: The triumphing Dance

II, 1: Prelude for the Witches "Wayward sisters, you that fright"

II, 1: "The Queen of Carthage"

II, 1: "But ere we this perform"

II, 1: "In our deep vaulted cell"

II, 1: Dance of the Furies

II, 2: Ritornelle

II, 2: "Thanks to these lonesome vales"

II, 2: "Oft she visits the lone mountain"

II, 2: "Behold upon my bending spear"

II, 2: "Haste, haste to town"

II, 2: "Stay Prince"

III: "Come away"

III: The Sailor's Dance

III: "See, see the flags"

III: "Our next motion"

III: "Destruction's our delight"

III: The Witches' Dance

III: "Your counsel all is urged in vain"

III: "Great minds against themselves conspire"

III: "Thy hand Belinda"

III: "When I am laid in earth"

III : "With drooping wings"

Dido and Aeneas by Blanca Li, music by Purcell

Festival "Le Temps d'Aimer la Danse" 2025

Subscribers

Cast

Blanca Li  — Choreographer, stage director, scenography

Glyslein Lefever  — Assistant stage director, assistant choreographer

Déborah Torres Garguilo  — Assistant stage director, assistant choreographer

Nina Coulais  — Assistant stage designer

Pascal Laajili  — Lighting designer

Jean-Luc Passarelli  — Lighting design assistant

Boris Pijetlovic  — Lighting design assistant

Laurent Mercier  — Costume designer

Program notes

Renowned choreographer and stage director Blanca Li breathes new life into the ancient myth of Dido and Aeneas through this dazzling production at this year's "Le Temps d'Aimer la Danse" festival! The score spotlights the poignant music of Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, performed to perfection by Les Arts Florissants under the masterful baton of William Christie, featuring spectacular singers Kate Lindsey as Dido, Renato Dolcini as Aeneas and Lead Sorceress, and Ana Vieira Leite as Belinda. Blending a dynamic array of dance styles, the Blanca Li Dance Company showcases the powerful poetry and tragedy of the doomed lovers. Step into the passionate narrative of this show and watch as its images are amplified by a water mirror, transforming the Gare du Midi stage into a vibrant reflection of our society.

Photo © Dan Aucante

A closer look: featured composers

medici.tv

The world’s premier resource for classical music programming: stunning live events from the world’s most prestigious halls, plus thousands of concerts, operas, ballets, and more in our VOD catalogue!

Our programs

Learn more

Useful links

Follow us

© MUSEEC SAS 2026. With the support of Creative Europe – MEDIA Programme of the European Union and the CNC.

Europe mediaCNC