This weekend, OU is performing one of the oldest English operas, Henry Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas," at the Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center in Holmberg Hall.

The opera is 50 minutes long and has been adapted from Virgil's "Aeneid."

This opera is considered baroque and was first performed in London in 1689. Jonathan Shames, artistic director for OU Opera and director of orchestras for OU, said both the performers and audience will be able to experience the opera on a deeper level than is often possible with a foreign-language opera.

This isn't necessarily the view of everyone, though. Chorus member for "Dido and Aeneas," Joel Pastor, letters junior, said he thinks this opera is enjoyable, despite the fact that it is in a less "singable" language.

"As far as operas go, it ['Dido and Aeneas'] is probably considered one of the very best English operas out there, but it's not as easy to sing because of that fact," Pastor said. "I prefer languages like Italian, but that's just me."

The director of the opera, Bill Ferrara, said this production is attempting to re-create the theater as it was in 1689.

"We have period sets, costumes and dancing," Ferrara said. "It's a mythological story but it's very fast-moving."

The fast-moving story is that of Prince Aeneas and the Queen of Carthage, Dido, and their tragic relationship with one another.

"Dido and Aeneas"o Performances are 8 p.m. Friday and Saterday and 3 p.m. Sunday in the Reynolds Performing Arts Center.o The short opera is the first opera written in English.o Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for faculty, staff and seniors and $10 for students.

"It's a fairly common story," Pastor said. "Aeneas leaves Dido and she kills herself, but that's obvious the entire time. I'm not giving anything away."

Chris Schaefer, Spanish and math senior, said he was looking forward to seeing the opera this weekend. Although originally a fan of the story in Latin, Schaefer said "Dido and Aeneas" is a simple opera to follow, but there are changes from the original story to the opera.

"In 'Aeneid,' the gods convince Aeneas to leave Dido, but Aeneas is willing to defy them for Dido. However, Dido ends up destroying herself so Aeneas will leave for the greater good," Schaefer explained. "In the opera, witches are his source of motivation to leave."

Schaefer said the opera has the ability to make people feel better about their own situation in life because they aren't suffering like the characters in this opera.

"Plus, I just think it's really cool," Schaefer said.

According to Eugene Enrico, dean of the Fine Arts College, the performance this weekend is being filmed for PBS. Enrico has connections to Oklahoma Public Television and Ferrara has worked with Iowa Public Television prior to this project.

"We all realized this would be an interesting project to take on," Ferrara said. "We have a capability to do a beautiful job."

"Dido and Aeneas" will not be filmed in front of a public audience. Ferrara said the shoot will be private and take place over five days next week.

"A lot of work has been put into this performance. We started practicing last semester, and we have practiced every day for two hours this spring."

"It doesn't matter who your audience is," Pastor said. "If you are trying to portray something like art, you need to practice for the sake of that art, despite if you are performing for television or not."

But Pastor said the thought of being filmed doesn't affect him nearly as much as it does the other performers. He said that the chorus members sit in front of the stage and try to be as unobtrusive as possible.

The opera will probably attract more than the typical opera crowd, according to Pastor.

"It's easier to understand than most operas, and it's not as long," Pastor said. "Hopefully people will give it a chance."

For tickets, please call the Fine Arts box office at 325-4101. Tickets are $15 for adults; $12 for faculty, staff and seniors; and $10 for students.
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