Legato Faculty of Music, in collaboration with Bangalore Worldwide Centre, The Lewis Basis of Classical Ballet, and Radio One 94.3 Worldwide, is presenting Dido and Aeneas, an English Baroque chamber opera by Henry Purcell, on January 25, 2025. Based mostly on E book IV of Virgil’s Aeneid, Dido and Aeneas is without doubt one of the earliest recognized English operas and one of the vital operatic works of the Baroque interval. It’s also Purcell’s solely full opera, making it a singular masterpiece in his output.
Whereas Dido and Aeneas is well-known for its emotional depth and musical brilliance, the opera’s historical past stays shrouded in thriller. Its first efficiency is believed to have taken place at a women’ college in Chelsea, London, someday earlier than the top of 1689, although some students argue that it was initially composed for the royal courtroom. Regardless of uncertainties about its early performances, the opera’s themes of affection, betrayal, and destiny proceed to resonate with audiences at this time, making it a timeless work within the operatic canon.
The upcoming manufacturing in Bangalore guarantees to be a novel collaboration, mixing components of opera, drama, and ballet in an progressive approach. The opera will function an impressive solid and musicians, together with the famend Swedish conductor Sofia Winiarski, whose dynamic management will information the ensemble. The manufacturing can even spotlight the skills of Maria Forsström as Dido, Rahul Bharadwaj as Aeneas, and an ensemble of achieved musicians, equivalent to Carol George and Arun Rozario on violin, Maria Winiarski on viola, Kristina Winiarski on cello, and Rebecca Thomas on keyboard. The dancers from The Lewis Basis of Classical Ballet, beneath the choreography of Iryna Hryshukova, will additional enrich this manufacturing, making certain a visually gorgeous and emotionally impactful efficiency.
Maria Forsström and Rahul Bharadwaj
Notably, native choirs Cappella Bangalore and The Bangalore Males will present the vocal backdrop, bringing their experience and keenness for Western classical music to this historic work. Jonas Olsson, the producer and cousin to the Winiarski sisters, emphasizes the distinctive contributions of those choirs, saying, “The weather that the choir brings embrace a recent method to items that a lot of them haven’t any prior relationship with, aside from listening to them in recordings or through the rehearsal course of. This lack of preconditioned notions about how the piece ought to sound or be carried out might be fairly refreshing.” He additionally provides, “The rehearsal course of, as all the time with the choir, has been difficult to start with however turns into simpler as we progress. On condition that it is a Baroque piece, it includes advanced harmonies and actions that aren’t solely self-explanatory. Nonetheless, the choir is now at a stage the place we’re starting to know the piece by coronary heart and may really make music out of the notes.”
Jonas highlights the thoughtfulness behind this system’s curation, stating, “Each time I curate a program for Cappella Bangalore or The Bangalore Males, I attempt to steadiness presenting music that’s thrilling and difficult for the choir to sing with making certain it’s fulfilling for the viewers to hearken to. This steadiness is essential. I imagine that each program ought to supply a component of studying—for each the choir and the viewers.”
He additional displays on the alternatives for Western choral music in India, explaining, “I imagine the alternatives far outweigh the challenges. There may be an openness and curiosity amongst each musicians and audiences to find the Western choral custom we carry. That is evident in the truth that most of our live shows are bought out, we’re attracting youthful audiences, and we obtain quite a few inquiries from folks wanting to hitch the choir.”
As we method this eagerly anticipated efficiency, the collaboration of those unbelievable artists and establishments—alongside the continued involvement of native skills equivalent to Akshay Nagmule on percussion—guarantees an unforgettable evening of music and artwork. Jonas expresses his optimism, saying, “The passion we see from each our audiences and performers conjures up us to push boundaries, discover new concepts, and create really memorable experiences for everybody concerned.”
The Winiarski sisters—Sofia, Kristina, and Maria—have carved out exceptional careers in classical music as conductor, cellist, and violist, respectively. Their newest collaboration brings collectively their distinctive skills for a Baroque opera manufacturing in Bangalore, that includes the works of Henry Purcell. On this unique interview, they share insights into their creative approaches, familial dynamics, and ideas on the relevance of opera at this time.
Serenade Staff: Sofia, because the conductor, might you elaborate in your method to this manufacturing? How do you steadiness Purcell’s Baroque traditions along with your creative interpretation?
Sofia Winiarski: As a conductor, or certainly as any musician, we continuously navigate a mix of influences. With Baroque music, there’s a wealthy efficiency follow custom, full with its personal algorithm and conventions. These function a basis but in addition require considerate decision-making.
For me, the textual content is all the time the place to begin—it’s the center of vocal music and particularly so in Baroque compositions. I give attention to the have an effect on, which refers back to the emotional essence conveyed by the textual content. In Baroque music, the aim is to precise this have an effect on as vividly and persuasively as potential. That precept guides my interpretative selections.
Purcell is especially fascinating. His works are harmonically subtle and rhythmically intricate, which makes them each difficult and rewarding to interpret. Balancing these components whereas staying true to the emotion of the textual content is a deeply participating course of.
ST: Kristina, as a cellist, what challenges and alternatives does Baroque opera current, significantly on this manufacturing?
Kristina Winiarski: On this context, the cello performs a pivotal position as a part of the basso continuo. It serves because the harmonic basis, carrying the bassline and supporting the complete construction, giving singers and different instrumental voices the area to reply emotionally.
In recitative sections, the continuo group—which in our case features a double bassist, myself on cello, and a keyboard participant—have to be extremely reactive and versatile. At instances, we lead with sturdy cues; at others, we observe gently, nearly imperceptibly. This dynamic interaction is each difficult and immensely fulfilling.
ST: Maria, the viola occupies a novel place in Baroque music. How do you method your position on this manufacturing?
Maria Winiarski: The viola usually bridges the harmonic basis supplied by the bassline and the melody carried by the violins and singers. It contributes each rhythmically and melodically, creating depth and richness within the total sound.
Its versatility is especially thrilling. The viola can tackle components of the bassline, weave intricate harmonic progressions, and even play in unison with the singers. This selection retains the music recent and rhythmically alive. Baroque music, whereas not all the time meant to be danced to, carries an inherent vitality that informs our method.
ST: As siblings, how has rising up collectively formed your musical journeys, and what’s it like collaborating on this manufacturing?
SW: We’ve all the time performed loads collectively, whilst kids. Whereas our particular person paths took us in barely totally different instructions, there was all the time a way of collaboration—and, in fact, a little bit of sibling rivalry!
KW: It was usually two of us working collectively at a time, relying on the challenge or group setting. This manufacturing is particular as a result of it’s the primary time all three of us are collaborating on one thing this substantial.
MW: It’s a novel alternative for us to carry our diversified experiences collectively. We’ve labored with so many alternative folks and in numerous contexts, however coming collectively as siblings permits us to study from one another in new methods.
ST: Sofia, how do you put together for a challenge of this scale, particularly with a various ensemble of native and worldwide musicians?
SW: Preparation all the time begins with the rating. I examine it completely, immersing myself in its intricacies. Past that, I preserve an open thoughts. Every ensemble brings its personal character, and the interactions with the musicians form the ultimate efficiency.
Having labored with Maria Forsström, who has expertise in Bangalore, I’ve gained some perception into what to anticipate. However in the end, each challenge is an journey, and the collaborative course of is what makes it so thrilling.
ST: What recommendation would you supply younger musicians pursuing careers in conducting or orchestral efficiency?
SW: Hear deeply—to music, to your self, and to others, particularly in chamber settings. True listening is a ability that elevates musicianship to the best stage.
KW: Have a marathon mindset. Have fun small victories, keep persistent, and keep positivity, even when the journey feels robust. Over time, what appears not possible turns into achievable.
ST: Why is that this opera vital, and what would you wish to convey to Bangalore audiences?
SW: Purcell’s opera is a masterpiece—harmonically subtle, emotionally wealthy, and universally relatable. Regardless of its supernatural components, the story delves into very human themes like love, battle, and loyalty. It’s accessible and never overly lengthy, making it ultimate for newcomers to opera.
MW: Opera is a uniquely collaborative artwork kind, bringing collectively performers and audiences in a shared, reside expertise. We hope this manufacturing affords one thing unforgettable—an emotional connection and a second of group in at this time’s more and more individualistic world.
Dido and Aeneas in Bangalore: Henry Purcell’s English Baroque opera in three acts. Expertise music, dance, and drama carried out by prime musicians from India and Sweden. At Bangalore Worldwide Centre, 25th January 2025.
