Grades 10-12, College, Adult
Directed by Barbara Willis Sweete
Produced by Rhombus Media
DVD Purchase $79, Rent $45
US Release Date: 1996
Copyright Date: 1995
DVD ISBN: 1-59458-352-8
VHS ISBN: 1-56029-650-X
Subjects
Dance
Humanities
Music
Opera
Performing Arts
Theater
Awards and Festivals
Golden Spire, San Francisco International Film Festival
Gold Apple, National Educational Media Competition
Rockie, Best Performing Arts Special, Banff Television Festival
Chris Award, Columbus International Film & Video Festival
Best Arts Documentary, Gemini Awards
Special Mention, Il Coreografo Electtronico, Italy
Silver Screen Award, US International Film & Video Festival
Golden Sheaf Nomination, Yorkton Short Film & Video Festival
FIPA, France
A Danced Opera
The critically-acclaimed Mark Morris dance production of the baroque operatic masterwork.
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"This lavish production is faultless from stunning photography to brilliant choreography." Starweek |
This adaptation of the critically acclaimed and provocative dance production by Mark Morris takes a fresh and controversial approach to the baroque operatic masterwork written in 1689 by Henry Purcell.
Dido, the noble Queen of Carthage, has fallen in love with the Trojan prince Aeneas. While the court celebrates the imminent union of the two monarchs, the evil Sorceress with her coven of witches plots their downfall. Romance leads to heartbreak and tragedy.
DIDO AND AENEAS stars Mark Morris himself in the dual roles of Dido and the Sorceress, and the supporting roles are performed by the incomparable Mark Morris Dance Group.
Tafelmusik provides accompaniment to a superb cast of vocal soloists including the great American mezzo Jennifer Lane.
Reviews
"This lavish production is faultless from stunning photography to brilliant choreography from Mark Morris."
Starweek
"A successful blend of opera and dance. The production works marvelously...the camera can soar over the dancers to linger on the opera chorus and soloists."
John Doyle, Globe and Mail Broadcast Week.
"Unlike other dance videos it is not merely a recording of a dance performance - it is a film in its own right with amazing cinematography, camera angles, and creative visual integration of the opera and dance elements."
Sheela Lambert, Anything That Moves
"The music...(is) truly excellent...modern dance programs will find this a valuable teaching tool."
Charles H. Burkhart, MC Journal
"WORTH SINGING ABOUT...Choreographer Mark Morris gives a striking twist to his production...There's a lot to admire here, including the playing by Tafelmusik and the mostly offscreen singing by Canadian artists."
Now Magazine