The opera is fully staged and costumed. Members of the class also helped build and paint the set, worked on costumes and props, and serve as stage crew.

Enrollment in the class is by audition. Since the purpose of the class is to offer singers the opportunity to hone skills and work towards the goal of public performance, a large percentage of the chorus will be appearing in a musical production for the first time.

Dido and Aeneas is the story of a love that is too strong to survive, when the romance between Dido, the widowed Queen of Carthage, and the warrior Aeneas attracts the jealousy of the gods.

One of England’s greatest composers, Henry Purcell wrote Dido and Aeneas in 1689 for the British girls' school where he was the music master. It remains the only English opera composed before the 20th century that is still performed in the modern repertoire.

Performances on Friday April 13 and Saturday April 14 begin at 8 PM in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus. Tickets are $6 general, $2 students/seniors, free to HSU students with ID, from HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door.

Media: HSU Lumberjack, North Coast Journal, Arcata Eye, Times-Standard Northern Lights.