this is the discovery of my whole life. i have about 66 years of music in me at 72. but my mind was never blown this good . until now. i'm so glad to be alive ! this is THE most amazing show i have ever seen.

Henry Purcell belonged to a family of musicians. His father enrolled him at a very young age in the children’s choir in the Royal Chapel directed by H. Cook. In 1672 P. Humfrey succeeded Cook and proposed to introduce his students to the new French and Italian styles. Upon changing his voice, Purcell becomes Blow’s student. At age 11, he began writing his first works and in 1679, he was appointed composer of the king for violins and replaced Blow on Westminster Abbey organ. His first published work is a collection of 12 sonatas for three, in which Vitali’s influence (1683) can be seen. In 1689, his masterpiece Dido and Aeneas is performed for the first time, whose score is marvelous, with admirable perfection even in the smallest details. The circumstances surrounding Purcell’s death at age 36 are unknown. He was buried on 26 November, next to the organ of Westminster Abbey, and during the funeral ceremony the magnificent anthem he had composed for the funeral of Queen Mary was played. He composed one opera, five pseudo-operas, religious music, profane vocal music, instrumental music, etc. The music is magnificent and of incredible elegance and grace. This is one of the greatest masterpieces written to date. The voices of the soloists, the choir, the orchestra and their direction are superb. Viva Purcell and his music, one of the greatest genius of the English composers that ever existed so far. What divine interpretation!!!

Christina Pluhar has been my daily companion for ten years

ACT I 24:40 Belinda, Dido ; 37:05 enter Aeneas ; 38:50 Bel: Pursue thy conquest ; 39:40 dance ; 44:18 Cho: To the hills ; 45:15 The triumphing dance ;;; ACT II 49:15

This is an amazing beautiful performance. L'Arpeggiata are always startlingly good. Voces8 are in the absolute top rank. All the principals can feel truely proud of their parts. The cameo of Capezzuto added a touching close. Thanks to all these wonderful people.

The best music never dies...

Perfectly wonderful. Vibrant, full of life. Totally alive, dynamic.

Like a breath of fresh air! A truly liberating experience

This performance has captured my soul for over 5 years, I cannot wait to witness their performance post Covid. A triumph :)

7:16 A revelation! Stunning! A masterpiece!

I actually attended this concert live. I have to say it challenges the more straight version of the opera in some interesting ways. Ways I don't always agree with. What I can say is that in the hall love it was magnificent. There was an instant standing ovation from the whole audience of 1700 people who were gripped from start to finish. You know what you are going to get if you go to a Christina Pluhar concert. Her ideas aren't for everyone. But I LOVED this concert, and I know everyone else did too. BRAVO!

It was great to be there once more. Such a privilege to see the ensemble once more live. Most hilarious moment at 54:13 when the shoe of one of the performers got stuck at the floor on stage! She solved the situation beautifully but I could hardly stop laughing in the following serious scene. This was a total spectacle and the crowd loved it! They were standing instantly after the performance and clapped for minutes. Only the few purists had to leave.

I'm enjoying this tremendously! I'm a big fan of Dido and Aeneas, and the new chapter feels close enough to feel right, but bold enough to be exciting in itself. It's lively, not just imitative. Good art!

Listening from the kitchen, the intervention at 16:30 brought me scurrying back to see what was going on!

Classic Pluhar at its best! How I miss the Utrecht Festival

Eine großartige, dem damaligen Zeitgeist voll entsprechende Aufführung! Das ist LEBENDIG & HISTORISCH begründet zugleich! So macht alte Musik Spaß... HERRLICH.

Splendid opera. Beautifully portrayed. Excellent singing and playing. An extraordinary experience to watch.

Absolutely fantastic in every creative way. Major Christina Pluhar fan here. Thanks.

Love the traditional baroque instrumentation. Fun as a violinist to watch the actual styling, especially the instruments and the bowing techniques. So different. We don't get to see that so often in America. Always like Purcell.

Wow. What a treat. Thank You Very Much. 💖👏👏👏

To be honest I understand both of the opinions stated in the comments. I do feel, however, that this is an interesting and refreshing way of experiencing Purcell. For those moments when we would prefer a more conventional performance, there are plenty of those to pick from on KZfaq. Creative reimaginings will never replace traditional performance, so whichever you prefer, there will be an abundance of performances to choose from.

Late but not? least... Extraordinary performance in any way!! SPECTACULAR - thank you for sharing.

BEAUTIFUL.* TOO MUCH BEAUTIFUL. "UPON THE WINGS OF THE DREAM" THANK YOU DEAR. PLEASURED

With the mystically animated dance section , starting at 39:00 Purcell seemed to anticipate some kind of 22nd century progressive jazz. If this piece doesn't get you dancing, then surely nothing could!

Fantástica toma de sonido y preciosa versión. Una maravilla de grabación

No words!!! So beautiful!!!

Increíble, magnifica interpretación.

Excellent, quelle qualité ! Thank you.

Bravíssimo! 👏👏❤❤ I loved the witches performance. You guys are amazing!

Bravo! A great performance, wow!

Amazing!

Muito bonito 😍 esse estilo de música me fisgou, amo cada apresentação ❤️

Dido and Aeneas é uma ópera muito sombria e o modo como é apresentado por Pluhar afasta um pouco a escuridão sem deixar de ser fiel ao texto. Gostei. Parabéns!

tThe quality of the music and the individual performances are beyond measure. all the women like angels, no matter the shape or size, the are outstandingly NORMAL, effortlessly stylish at the same time. the solos from the cornetist, keyboard player and the cellist invest the music with the lightness and style of the best in jazz.

A pleasant surprise! Great concept, exceptionally entertaining! BRAVO! - and Thank You! :-)

Prachtig! Thanks!

I'm stunned! A whole new experience.

Just, wonderful!!

Magnifique. Merveilleux!

Beautiful, thanks for sharing

Thank you! Amazing!

Great thing from Purcell. Thanks,

wonderfull, purcel for the people , joking, maravilha ,lindíssimo trabalho contemporâneo .bravo!!

27:18 sopranos and countertenors are flawless cherubines up there! Superb!

Absolutely beautiful!, I never enjoyed an hour and a half so much!. Many thanks. Le gra mor!.Gérard lacey in Ireland. X.

Lindo! Fantástico! Espetacular! 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

Holy shit... Yet another time I am riveted to the bloody computer by L'Arpeggiata.

Amusing and exiting. Very rich interpretation. Good

Fun and interesting performance. Playfully and beautifully done.

Maravilhosa apresentação!

'When I am laid..'- er komt niemand in de buurt van Emma Kirkby. Zij zingt het hart in deze muziek. Maar dit is toch een prachtige uitvoering. Ik vind vooral de overdadige expressie van gevoel van deze zangeres heel goed passen bij het smartlapperige van de opera zelf, en ze zingt het even overdreven, heel mooi. Klopt prima.

Quelle claque! Effectivement, rafraichissant est bien le mot! J'adore cette approche.

so subtile, elegant and full of humour and talents. Christina Pluhar makes this music so pleasant and refreshing. Thanks for posting this video which made me change my mind about the baroque style and made me discover l'Arpeggiata !

What a Great Performance......!!! Mariana .... Wonderfull...!!! a powerfull and soft voice that touch my Heart...!

magnifique !!!!! j'adore !!!!!! et les petits agneaux en fond sont sublimes .

Ik geniet er nog steeds van💕💕

I NEED MORE DINGLE YANDELL IN MY LIFE.

Splendid work!

Bravo, magnifique interprétation.

Purcell aurait adoré ! C'est génial...

I love this Pluhar's rhythmic style of Ancient Music! The percussion, the tanginess, the naturality of her interpretations. TANKS for sharing this video!!!

Le plus grand compositeur anglais. Merci.

Hermosa la interpretación. Muy buena la toma del sonido. Aplausos!!!!

Prachtig. What divine interpretation. Swinging Purcell on 41:00 (!)

La voz del barítono genial.

Purcell's contemporary, Samuel Pepys, would have loved this as he was very definitely no prude!

E' meraviglioso, intenso, coinvolgente ,fantastico ,attuale come scritto ieri!

I love it, i love Christina Pluhar

Schitterende uitvoering!! Wat een verzameling van talent!

A wonderful performance.

Spećtacular! Bravissimo!

AMAZING INTERPRETATION......VOICES ARE SPLENDID........SO WONDERFUll !

Very controversial comments to be read here. People seem to either love it or hate it. Like the Sydney Opera House, when first built. I love it, really invigorating, raw and fresh. Returning theatre to wooden boards, candle lights and painted scenes.

Wonderful!

Merci à l’ensemble des instrumentistes et au chef bien sûr. Quel talent ! J’aime beaucoup l’instrument (luth). Merci à toi 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

I found it a very enjoyable interpretation.

Uma obra prima do Barroco! Numa transcrição vivaz, quase casual, mas sensível e afinada. Um prazer encontrar este vídeo.

💯 Really great production all around.

grandiose et inspirant !

What am I doing at four in the morning watching this beauty, which I intended to only take a peek into before going to bed? Nasty KZfaq.

Adoro esta opera

De aller mooiste muziek, zeer bezield.

¡Maravilloso! Estoy preparando mi oposición gracias a las cadencias tan sublimes que provoca el texto, la música, la dirección de orquesta y la interpretación de los cantantes. Realmente exquisito.

A wonderful, adventurous performance, stretching the limits in some cases. It makes me proud to be from Europe, where the arts are supported by many wonderful festivals, such as this one in Utrecht that allows the performers to leaver the beaten path. If you compare this performance with a true to the score recording of the opera you will hardly find any overlap, which was OK with me, since I have never seen Purcell's original opera. I agree with other comments that early music must be made interesting by bringing in new ideas and a good sense of humor. I have seen Don Giovanni with the chorus of the street guys on stage dressed in jeans and drinking from coke cans. I have seen the gods in Cavalli's opera Il Calisto descend in business suits during a remarkable performance at Staatstheater Wiesbaden, Germany, and I was not offended. Make more of this!

Sublime 🎇

Beautiful “remember me”. Brava.

¡Maravillosa la versión de Pluhar! Esas improvisaciones, ese respeto al texto... Un hallazgo.

Un sodo lavoro. Un stupendo risultato. Complimenti

Que bella belinda!!! Excelentes todos!!

Magnifique interprétation, que de belles voix, que des musiciens inspirés un grand merci à l'Arpeggiata

Wonderbaarlijk!!

Wunderbar erfrischend. Ein swingender Purcell!

Splendide, merveilleux. Henry Purcell est divinement séduit par votre interprétation Mille mercis à tous.

De mooiste muziek, ooit.

Fantastic.

What a beautiful violinist

Great work! I recognize some members on strings from Podium Witteman!

how wonderful!!!!!

Maravilloso!

Que la musique est belle surtout jouée si parfaitement! les voix, les solistes, encore!