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Dido & Aeneas by Purcell

Feat. Mary Elizabeth Williams as Dido

About the Production

Purcell’s ground-breaking opera makes its long-awaited Opera Lafayette debut. Mary Elizabeth Williams returns to Opera Lafayette as Dido, the ill-fated Queen of Carthage, following her internationally lauded performance in last season’s Morgiane. The famously haunting aria “When I Am Laid in Earth” brings the resilient Dido to a crossroad in this woman-centered storyline, delivering an unforgettable saga of love, loss, power, and humanity.

Language: English

Running Time: 65 minutes; no intermission

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Get Tickets

Washington, DC

Thursday, October 16, 2025, 7:30pm
TBA

New York City

Monday, October 20, 2025, 7:30pm
El Museo del Barrio
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Artists

Mary Elizabeth Williams, soprano

Dido
Opéra National de Paris, Santa Fe Opera, Seattle Opera, Atlanta Opera, San Francisco Symphony

Elijah McCormack, male soprano*

Aeneas
Seraphic Fire, Washington Bach Consort, IN Series, Boston Early Music Festival, American Bach Soloists, Orchestra of St. Luke’s

Chelsea Helm, soprano*

Belinda
Conspirare, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Seraphic Fire, Washington Bach Consort, The Thirteen
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WATCH: "When I Am Laid in Earth"

Performed by Jessye Norman

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