Dido and Aeneas is an English opera by Henry Purcell. It is from the Baroque Period (1600-1750). It features the two standard types of operatic singing styles: Recitative and Aria.
The recitative is accompanied by either piano and cello or guitar and cello. The music must flow with the words to convey the action and story occurring in the drama.
The aria is accompanied by the full orchestra, and features the vocalist(s) in much more tuneful settings. There is no action, but rather an emotional reaction to what has just occurred.
The performance was the weekend of Feb. 15 and 16, 2013 at Community Music School, Trappe, PA.