Dido the Queen

A Folk Opera

Willa and Nick received two awards for their work on Dido the Queen, the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture Education and Human Development Challenge Grant and The Speranza Foundation’s Lincoln City Fellowship Grant.  Thanks to that support, Dido received a full production in August 2016 at the Clemente Soto Velez Center in New York City.  

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Following the plot of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, Dido is a young queen in the midst of building the city of Carthage, thrown into turmoil when the brave and handsome warrior Aeneas lands on her shores.  Initially rejecting his advances, her ever-observing court coaxes her into a relationship with the visitor for their own enjoyment.  After a very swift and public romance, the lovers are split by a jealous and conniving Sorceress, driving Dido and all of Carthage to a tragic end.  Dido the Queen is a complex show aimed at young adults in grades 9-12 which runs about an hour in length, featuring a live band, incredible performers, and stunning visual effects from start to finish.