Events /
Saturday, October 3

LOLA & Panoramic Voices: Dido and Aeneas

By KMFA 89.5, Staff Submission.

About

LOCAL OPERA LOCAL ARTISTS (LOLA) & PANORAMIC VOICES PRESENT

DIDO AND AENEAS 

Saturday, October 3 at 7:00 p.m. | Virtual Performance

Local Opera Local Artists (LOLA) & Panoramic Voices present an encore performance of Purcell’s DIDO AND AENEAS. Love, sorcery, and tragic opera—what better way to spend a Saturday night? 

Originally performed Valentine’s Day weekend 2020 in the stunning sanctuary of the mid-century modern St. Martin’s Church in Austin, TX, the production fused brilliant operatic talent, a professional chamber orchestra and a breathtaking symphonic chorus. This special rebroadcast will take place on Saturday, October 3 at 7:00 pm on the Panoramic Voices’ YouTube channel.

Liz Cass, Executive Producer of LOLA, will provide opening remarks for the encore presentation and then lead a panel discussion during intermission and after the event. The panel features the creative team behind the show: musical director Brent Baldwin (Artistic Director of Panoramic Voices), stage director Rebecca Herman (Artistic Producer of LOLA), and choreographer Erica Gionfriddo (co-founder of ARCOS Dance).

Henry Purcell’s stunningly beautiful late 17th century baroque masterpiece is a timeless tale of Dido who is caught between her duty to marry the Trojan Prince Aeneas, thus solidifying the political power of Carthage, and the desires of her heart. Her dilemma is further complicated by an opposing and powerful sorceress.

The cast included Ivy Cantu, making her LOLA and Panoramic Voices debut, as Queen Dido, and the renowned, powerful baritone David Small in the role of Aeneas. Two sopranos made their debuts: Jihee Han made her LOLA and Panoramic Voices debut as Belinda, Dido’s confidant, and Natalie Howard made her LOLA debut as the Sorceress with a vendetta. Rounding out the cast were mezzo Julie Silva as Second Woman, soprano Mary Kettlewell as First Witch, mezzo Jessica Blau as Second Witch, tenor Jeffrey Jones Ragona as The Sailor, and countertenor Holt Skinner as The Spirit.

In lieu of tickets, viewers are being asked to consider making a donation which will benefit Panoramic Voices, LOLA and the SIMS Foundation.

Event Details

Ticket Information

  • Cost: FREE (Donation Suggested)

Presenter Details

  • Name: LOLA & Panoramic Voices

    • About LOLA 

    LOLA is committed to cultivating the future of opera by offering new approaches to this art form and classical singing. Our mission includes integrity to our approach to opera, to the Austin community, and to each other.  We stand with our Black colleagues and all who are working toward radical change, unity and justice. Our projects give artists unique and interesting outlets for their work, pull in diverse audiences, and propel opera out of the grand hall, flowing into the larger community.

    About Panoramic Voices

    Panoramic Voices is an adventurous choral collective that thrives on a “music without borders” approach to music making. With collaborations spanning all genres from classical, country, rock, hip hop, and beyond, PV has worked with a dizzying array of artists such as Mobley, Roky Erickson, Carson McHone, Calliope Musicals, Zeale, and Grammy Award-winners Roomful of Teeth. The commissioning of new works has also been central to PV’s vision throughout Artistic Director Brent Baldwin’s ambitious 10-year tenure, resulting in the premiere of compositions by Pulitzer Prize-winner Caroline Shaw, DJ Spooky, Wilco’s Glenn Kotche, Austin luminary Graham Reynolds, and many more.

    The ensemble has been widely recognized for its artistic endeavors, including “Best Choral Performance” from the Austin Critics’ Table, a cover story on Chorus America’s “The Voice” magazine, and regular listing among the Austin Chronicles “Top 10 Treasures.” In 2014, the Austin Chronicle dubbed Brent Baldwin “Best Choral Wrangler” in its “Best of Austin” awards. The Austin American Statesman has hailed the group’s work as “always adventurous.”

    In service to the greater Austin arts community, Panoramic Voices regularly partners with charitable organizations like the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), SIMS, and Kids In a New Groove (KING) to provide support to the well-being of Austin artists.