Dido and Aeneas @ Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Composer Henry Purcell 

Libretto Nahum Tate 

Scots Translation Dr Michael Dempster 

Gaelic Translation Marcus Mac an Tuairneir 

Director David Douglas 

Chorus Director Colleen Nicoll 

Musical Director Andrew Johnston 

A co-production with the Scots Opera Project

Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Scots Opera Project unite to produce a Scottish Gaelic and Scots Language version of Purcell’s baroque masterpiece, Dido and Aeneas.   

The opera recounts the Queen of Carthage’s love for the Prince of Troy, and her despair when he abandons her. Dido and Aeneas is one of Purcell’s foremost theatrical works. This beloved operatic gem includes stunning choruses, duos, trios, and the iconic aria ‘When I am Laid in Earth.’  

This production blends professional opera singers with the powerful voices of a community company. Set within the charming atmosphere of the Amphitheatre, this interpretation will captivate audiences. 

 The Scots Opera Project is an award-nominated opera company. Appearances include live performances on BBC Radio Scotland’s Classics Unwrapped and STV’s The Riverside Show. In 2019, the company was nominated for both a Scots Language and a Scottish Gaelic Award in Arts and Culture for Dido and Aeneas.  

 Scots Opera Project credits include: Charpentier’s Actéon and The Descent O’ Orpheus Tae The Underwarl, Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and Handel’s Acis and Galatea. Together with the composer Alan Fleming Baird, the company created a new opera based on the life and works of the Paisley poet, Robert Tannahill. As well as a new operatic version of Robert Burns’ The Jolly Beggars. In September 2022, they performed the Scottish Premier of Granville Bantock and Marjory Kennedy-Fraser’s The Seal-Woman.