<P> Dido and Aeneas ( Z. 626 ) is an opera in a prologue and three acts , written by the English Baroque composer Henry Purcell with a libretto by Nahum Tate . The dates of the composition and first performance of the opera are uncertain . It was composed no later than July 1688 , and had been performed at Josias Priest 's girls ' school in London by the end of 1689 . Some scholars argue for a date of composition as early as 1683 . The story is based on Book IV of Virgil 's Aeneid . It recounts the love of Dido , Queen of Carthage , for the Trojan hero Aeneas , and her despair when he abandons her . A monumental work in Baroque opera , Dido and Aeneas is remembered as one of Purcell 's foremost theatrical works . It was also Purcell 's only true opera , as well as his only all - sung dramatic work . One of the earliest known English operas , it owes much to John Blow 's Venus and Adonis , both in structure and in overall effect . The influence of Cavalli 's opera Didone is also apparent . </P>
<P> Dido and Aeneas ( Z. 626 ) is an opera in a prologue and three acts , written by the English Baroque composer Henry Purcell with a libretto by Nahum Tate . The dates of the composition and first performance of the opera are uncertain . It was composed no later than July 1688 , and had been performed at Josias Priest 's girls ' school in London by the end of 1689 . Some scholars argue for a date of composition as early as 1683 . The story is based on Book IV of Virgil 's Aeneid . It recounts the love of Dido , Queen of Carthage , for the Trojan hero Aeneas , and her despair when he abandons her . A monumental work in Baroque opera , Dido and Aeneas is remembered as one of Purcell 's foremost theatrical works . It was also Purcell 's only true opera , as well as his only all - sung dramatic work . One of the earliest known English operas , it owes much to John Blow 's Venus and Adonis , both in structure and in overall effect . The influence of Cavalli 's opera Didone is also apparent . </P>
who wrote the libretto for dido and aeneas
who wrote the libretto for dido and aeneas
Nahum Tate
Nahum Tate