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The Queen of Carthage – World Premiere
July 27, 2023 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts
A seamless blend of Baroque and contemporary song and dance, this interdisciplinary performance is a powerful reclamation of the story of Dido, The Queen of Carthage, and her legacy as a political leader, an empire builder and a woman of colour. This operatic performance, created by re:Naissance Opera, features commissioned works by contemporary composers Jessica McMann, Robyn Jacob and Afarin Mansouri, along with those of Baroque composers Henry Purcell and John Dowland. This project places Dido through a prism, in which her story as a multifaceted leader, lover and outcast are shown in their fullness.
“Creating ‘The Queen of Carthage’ has been a journey of rediscovering Dido, not as the tragic figure she has so often been depicted as in Western European Art, but as a powerful leader who shaped Western Civilizations and history. We forget that before Rome, there was Carthage and our performance asks the audience to consider: what might our world look like today if our Western European histories started with an empire founded by a woman of colour? What’s really exciting about this project is the amazing creative team we have assembled and the new commissions from Afarin Mansouri, Robyn Jacobs, and Jessica McMann. The contemporary music reminds us of the importance of engaging in a constant dialogue with our past and the impact of erasing people, like Dido, from our histories. We are thrilled to finally give her the platform she deserves and to present her as the multi-faceted and influential woman she truly was.” – Dr. Debi Wong, founding artistic director, re:Naissance Opera.
Artists: Charlotte Siegel, soprano; Marisa Gold, choreographer and dancer; Dr Debi Wong & Stephanie Wong, stage directors; Catalina Vicens, music director/2023 Artist-in-Residence; and EMV Festival Players directed by Catalina Vicens: Chloe Meyers, violin 1; Majka Demcak, violin 2; Nolwenn Le Guern, viola da gamba; Margaret Little, viola da gamba; Natalie Mackie, violone; Erin Headley, lirone; Antione Mallette-Chénier, triple harp; Lucas Harris, theorbo.
Vanka Salim, lights/design lights/design; Roberta Doylend, costumes
Generously sponsored by A Cappella Foundation (artist sponsor – Charlotte Seigel), Jens & Linda Lee Henriksen, Joanie and Samantha Anderson, Mike & Kathy Gallagher, Anonymous, & Vincent and Zelie Tan
Co-produced by: Early Music Vancouver and re:Naissance Opera; Co-Presented with SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs
