Dido and Æneas

Opera in a prologue and three acts – Premiere : London, 1689
Stage version – Sung in English – Text spoken in French
Bärenreiter score n° BA08744-90 – A-415

This stage project will be presented with the help of the baroque ensemble Les Surprises under the artistic direction of Louis-Noël Bestion de Camboulas and the complicity of Pierre Lebon for the staging and scenography. Based on the work of Purcell Dido and Æneas, they imagined a show in the image of the English “Masks”, with a Prologue and interludes, mixing sung texts, spoken texts, arias, choirs and dances. A show in which all the artists, in a true spirit of troupe, are singers, soloists, ensemble singers, actors and dancers.

Composer: Henry Purcell
Librettist: Nahum Tate

Artistic direction: Louis-Noël Bestion de Camboulas
Director and set designer: Pierre Lebon
Choreography: Iris Florentini

Ensemble Les Surprises

Cast

Soprano / Mezzo-soprano / Alto
3 roles
– Dido
– Belinda & Second Witch
– Second Woman & First Witch

Baritone
2 roles
– Æneas
– Enchantress

Tenor
1 role
– First Sailor & roles in Prologue and interludes

Countertenor
1 role
– Spirit & roles in Prologue and interlude

Artist-in-residence

Campus Royaumont Foundation
From July 15 to August 3, 2025
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Rehearsals

Clermont-Ferrand
From January 2 to 15, 2026

Performances

Clermont-Fd Opera-Theatre : January 17 and 18, 2026
Limoges Opera : January 22 and 23, 2026
Châtellerault Theatre : January 24, 2026 (concert version – date to be confirmed)
Poissy Theatre : February 6, 2026
Enghien-les-Bains : February 10 or 17, 2026
Daint-Omer, La Barcarolle : February 10, 2026 (date to be confirmed)
Atelier lyrique de Tourcoing : February 12 and 13, 2026
Roanne Theatre : April 23, 2026
Théâtre Roger Barat – Herblay-sur-Seine : May 5 and 6, 2026
Tour 2026 : other dates to define

Possible Tour : 2026-2027 Season
Saint-Étienne Opera : 1 performance
Bordeaux Opera : 1 or 2 performances (September 14 or 27, 2026 – To be confirmed)
Poitiers TAP : 1 performance (date to be confirmed)
Théâtre Imperial de Compiègne : 1 performance (date to be confirmed)

Executive production ensemble Les Surprises
Co-production Royaumont Foundation, Clermont Auvergne Opera and Limoges Opera

Piano Voice Duo

For the first time in its history, the Clermont-Ferrand International Opera Singing Competition will reward a voice-piano duo. Singers of all voice types and pianists will perform in duos in a repertoire that will require a subtle balance between lied and French melody.
The semi-finalists will benefit from a workshop led by Antoine Palloc, a pianist who has accompanied notably Karine Deshayes, Jennifer Larmore, Nicolas Courjal and Sonya Yoncheva in recital.
The winning duo will be offered residencies, notably at the prestigious Royaumont Foundation, and engagements for recitals.

Music

French melodies and lieder

Cast

Pianist / Voice (all voice types)

Artist-in-residence

Royaumont Foundation – Autumn 2025
Residence outcome

Tour (Paris region)

Autumn 2025 (date to define)

Artist-in-residence

Château de Parentignat (63) – Residence outcome
Spring 2026 (date to define)

Recital

Clermont-Fd Opera-Theatre – Season 2025/2026
Spring 2026 (date to define)

Production Fondation Royaumont and Clermont Auvergne Opéra