Skyline Singers

The featured work on the program will be Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas,” one of the earliest English operas.  Written at some point in the 1680s, the opera is based on Book IV of Virgil’s “Aeneid,” and recounts the love story between Dido, Queen of Carthage, and the Trojan Hero Aeneas.

The opera will be performed with a baroque chamber ensemble composed of players from Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska including violinists Carla Sciaky and Joe Jewet, Alex Vittal, viola, Beth Vanderborgh, cello, Mark Bergman, bass, and Brooks Hafey on harpsichord and keyboard. Musical forces will also include the Sheridan College Chamber Choir performing as the Opera Chorus. Primary roles in the opera will be sung by members of Skyline Singers. The featured roles are Mandi Steele (of Gillette) as Dido, and Logan Henke (of Bozeman, Montana) as Aeneas. Sheridan vocal soloists include Michelle Forster as Belinda, and Ryan Landis as the First Sailor. Anne Kania (of Shepherd, Montana) sings the Sorceress, while Jamie Scherz (of Gillette) sings the roles of Second Woman and Spirit. Two members of the Sheridan College Chamber Choir, Sopranos Lily Anderson and Sofia De Luca will be featured as First and Second Witches.

The opening piece is Purcell’s “Welcome to All the Pleasures,” an ode in honor of Saint Cecilia, composed in 1683. Vocal soloists in this piece include sopranos Michelle Forster and Jamie Scherz, alto Leah Hoblit, tenor Zachary Vreeman, and bass John Zirkle.