Classic opera of tragic love staged at Elder Hall

Honours performance student Desiree Frahn will star as Dido in the ELDERHALL evenings 2008 performance of Dido and Aeneas.
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Friday, 24 October 2008

Purcell's operatic masterpiece Dido and Aeneas will be presented in a once-only performance as part of the University of Adelaide's ELDERHALL evenings 2008 concert season on Saturday 1 November.

The costumed and semi-staged production will showcase the Elder Conservatorium Chorale and Chamber Orchestra. Stage and artistic direction will be by Rob Croser from Independent Theatre with music conducted by Keith Crellin.

"Written in 1689, Purcell's only true opera is the tragic tale of two lovers torn apart by the gods," says Keith Hempton, Head of Vocal Studies at the Elder Conservatorium. "Music of sublime beauty portrays the passionate expression of human emotions."

"It's such a huge emotional journey," says University of Adelaide student Desiree Frahn, who plays Dido. "It's challenging but so rewarding. I feel quite drained at the end of rehearsals and yet on an absolute high at the same time."

Desiree, who is an Honours performance student at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, fell in love with the stage as a toddler. While her father did the lighting for local theatre productions in the Riverland, she would sit in the lighting booth absorbing the drama, song and dance on stage.

Now it is her turn on the stage.

"I'm looking forward so much to sharing this incredibly rich and moving story with the audience," she says.

ELDERHALL evenings: DIDO and AENEAS
6:30pm Saturday 1 November
Elder Hall, North Terrace Campus, University of Adelaide
Tickets: $25 adult; $20 concession; $14 student
For more information and bookings contact the Concert Office on (08) 8303 5925
www.music.adelaide.edu.au

ELDERHALL evenings is generously supported by ETSA Utilities and the Helpmann Academy

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