Performance Dates 

Wednesday 28th August – Saturday 31st August, 7.30pm @ University of Bedfordshire Theatre, Polhill Avenue, Bedford, MK41 9EA

Synopsis

Dido and Aeneas | Henry Purcell

Dido, Queen of Carthage, is full of sorrow, despite her court, led by her handmaiden Belinda, trying to cheer her up. They suggest she take visiting Trojan, Aeneas, as her husband. When Aeneas arrives, he is at first received coldly, but Dido eventually accepts his proposal of marriage. Meanwhile, the Sorcerer is plotting the destruction of Carthage, and summons his spirit minions to share a diabolical plan… one of his spirits will appear to Aeneas disguised as Mercury and command that he leave to sail to Italy, leaving Dido broken-hearted, whereby she will surely die. The court visit a nearby grove for entertainment and hunting, so the Sorcerer conjures a storm, forcing Dido and her party to return to the palace. Aeneas is detained by the disguised spirit, and “Mercury’s decree” is issued. Aeneas returns to the palace to break the news to Dido, and she in turn throws Aeneas out of her court. The Trojan fleet prepare to set sail at the harbour, and as they leave, the Sorcerer sing of his plan to destroy Aeneas and the Trojan fleet on the ocean. Dido’s heart is broken, and as the Sorcerer predicted, she dies, mourned by her court.

Down in the Valley | Kurt Weill

Brack Weaver has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of Thomas Bouché. He breaks out of prison to see his love, Jennie Parsons, one last time, and together they remember the events of the past few weeks… At a church meeting, Brack offers to walk Jennie home. He plucks up the courage to ask Jennie to the Shadow Creek Dance, and Jennie happily accepts. But Jennie’s mother has other plans… Ma Parsons has been visited by the local financier, Thomas Bouché, and he has offered to extend her overdue loan in return for permission to take Jennie to the dance. Jennie, of course, refuses, and her mother bans her from going to the dance. Undeterred, Brack and Jennie meet at the dance and have huge fun, until Thomas Bouché arrives, and drunkenly challenges Brack to a fight. There is a scuffle, and Thomas Bouché is stabbed by the knife he threatened Brack with and dies. Of course, Brack is blamed, and sentenced to hang. The flash back ends, and Brack and Jennie say their final farewell, before Brack is caught and taken to the scaffold. We see him as the piece finishes singing “Roses love sunshine, Violets love dew, angels in Heaven know I love you.”

Images from our 2023 production of Massenet’s Cendrillon. 

Summer Course

• Principals’ Weekend: Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th July
• Chorus Weekend: Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st July

Parklea Primary School, Kinross Crescent, Luton LU3 3JU

Main Rehearsal Period:

• Saturday 10th August to Wednesday 21st August @ Parklea Primary School, Kinross Crescent, Luton LU3 3JU
• Thursday 22nd August to Tuesday 27th August @ University of Bedfordshire Theatre, Polhill Avenue, Bedford, MK41 9EA
• Performance Dates: Wednesday 28th August to Saturday 31st August @ University of Bedfordshire Theatre, Polhill Avenue, Bedford, MK41 9EA

Once you have accepted a principal or chorus role, you will be expected to attend all the rehearsals that you are scheduled for during the summer course. The schedule will be released as soon as possible after casting.

Cost of the summer course: £275

Luton Music Gala Concert

During the course we will also be rehearsing for a Gala Concert to be performed in Luton to fundraise and promote the opera performances.

• Gala Concert: Monday 19th August

St Mary’s Church, Church Street, Luton, LU1 3JF

For more information, please e-mail us at opera@bedfordshiremusictrust.org.uk.