Oxford Girls' Choir presents a semi-staged performance of Henry
Purcell's 'Dido & Æneas' with period instruments, costume and dance.

Dido: Henrietta Gullifer
Aeneas: Robert Brooks

Producer: Daisy Venables
Choreographer: Ian Brener
Musical Director: Richard Vendome

This production of Henry Purcell's Dido and Æneas is based on Nahum Tate's libretto, which survives from the 1689 performance at "Mr. Josias Priest's Boarding School at Chelsey / By Young Gentlewomen". Purcell, Priest (the leading dancing master of his day) and Tate were part of the closely-knit London theatre scene. Singing, dancing and acting were an important part of the school curriculum for both girls and boys at this time, and this performance was probably staged to celebrate the new Queen Mary's birthday on 30th April 1689.