Cork Opera House, today starts its first nationwide tour of their critically acclaimed production of Henry Purcell’s masterpiece Dido and Aeneas. Supported by the Arts Council of Ireland, the Opera will launch with its first performance at the Kilkenny Arts Festival on the 15^th and 16^th of August, followed by an exclusive one-night-only performance at Cork Opera House on the 25^th August, with remaining nights at the Town Hall, Galway, 28^th August and the Mermaid Arts Centre, Wicklow on the 6^th September 2012.

Offering a fresh contemporary take on the English Baroque opera classic, this is the only Opera where you will see Cork’s international stars Cara O’Sullivan, Majella Cullagh and Mary Hegarty perform on the stage together.

“Following last year’s incredible performances, so many people got in touch asking when Dido would tour.  We are delighted to now have the opportunity to take this world class event on the road, to showcase our home-grown talent.  We are very proud of what we have created together; the team behind this piece are second to none.  But, please don’t let me be the judge of that, come and see for yourself, you will not be disappointed.” said Mary Hickson, CEO, Cork Opera House.

Dido and Aeneas has been reworked and re-orchestrated by Marja Gaynor and directed by John O’Brien. The performance is an hour long with jazz, tango and gypsy vibes set in a Gothic World. The Opera has a cast of only eight – four musicians/actors and four singers/actors.  This classical form of Opera usually lends itself to a concealed orchestra in the pit with singers/ actors on stage, but in John O’Brien’s  unique version the musicians are on the stage, telling the story and bringing the music to life.

For further information go to http://www.corkoperahouse.ie/.