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Dido & Aeneas @ Josephat Arts Hall 1/30 Not quite all the weather-related events of last week were out-of-doors. Apollo's Fire, led by its founding music director Jeannette Sorrell created thunder and wind and rain and all sorts of imaginary special effects within the warm confines of Josephat Arts Hall. The occasion was the first staged opera presented in this welcoming space -- Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, partly in celebration of the 350th anniversary of the composer's birth.

Although the orchestra itself was a mini-version—nine players only—in addition to Ms. Sorrell who directed from one of the two harpsichords, there were several soloists, two dancers, mixed-voice chorus, and five charming young Musettes.

The tale of Dido, Queen of Carthage and her temporary lover Aeneas, escaping after the fall of Troy who lands at Carthage, is ancient. Ms. Sorrell’s imagination made the whole seem fresh and vibrant. To help the short story along a bit, she also added other theatrical music ‘Ayres’ by Purcell as a sort of prelude to the main event. These seemed all of a piece and blended well with Dido, being excerpted from his King Arthur, Dioclesian and The Fairie Queen.

Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière of Montreal served as both stage director and costume designer. Caroline Guilbault created masks & headpieces as well as the set design, which was primarily large painted backdrops or scrolls. Lighting (and stage management) was by Cassie Goldbach. The total effect was bright and colorful and very effective.

Taking advantage of the space at Josephat Arts Hall, the Sorceress Meg Bragle and her witches were, for the most part, ensconced in the balcony, where colored lights and storm sounds added to the total impression. The witches, Sandra Simon and Abigail Haynes Lennox, did double duty, also portraying Belinda and Second Woman, respectively.

Dancers Carlos Fittante and Robin Gilbert Campos added greatly to the telling of the story, whether as cupids or spirits, triumphs or echoes. Mr. Fittante also doubled in a silent role as one of the drunken sailors, tenor Scott Mello being appropriately tipsy and nicely vocal as the other. 'Sumner Thompson was heroic through and through as Aeneas, even while being a cad and running out on his new love after only ‘one night enjoyed.’

Meredith Hall was dignity personified as the troubled Dido, who in spite of being a widow, hasn’t forgotten the joy of falling in love. She was luminous in her portrayal, at times girlish in her new happiness or resigned and accepting in its loss.

Speaking of dignity, it was fun to see the usually calm and dignified Apollo’s Singers shed their inhibitions and dance crazily around the sorceress in her one visit to the stage.

Josephat Arts Hall is a great space for performances of this size and scope. We can but hope that Apollo’s Fire will be a steady inhabitant.

Apollo’s Fire returns to its traveling format next month, however, when oboeist Alex Klein appears as guest artist, March 5 through 8. For tickets or more information, call 320-0012, or visit the web-site: http://www.apollosfire.org.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz artswriterATroadrunner.com
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