The Brentano String Quartet brings the doomed love story to life, starting the first half of the program with a contrasting, yet complimentary, mix of early English works for consort of viols and songs. The result is a luminous intimacy, beautifully private that the audience feels the privilege of eavesdropping on an undefended and vulnerable expression. And the culmination is Dido's famous lament, the intensely intimate plea confessed to a friend, as she relinquishes her hold on life.

The second half, co-commissioned by the Hop, sees Pulitzer-winning composer Melinda Wagner and librettist Stephanie Fleischmann breathe new life into Dido. They imagine her psyche, her vulnerability and her strength. Dawn Upshaw becomes Dido and explores Dido's raw honesty, allowing us to probe into the emotional richness inherent in her predicament.

Don't miss a pre-show talk with the artists at 6:15 pm in Top of the Hop.

Learn more and get tickets here