THE tale of a queen, a soldier and an illicit love, Henry Purcell’s much-loved opera, Dido and Aeneas, will be brought vividly to life in a concert performance at Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts on Tuesday February 16.

The concert will be given by leading UK choir and period instrument ensemble, Armonico Consort, whose recording of the work, released last year, has been critically-acclaimed.

Dramatic, tragic and powerful, the English baroque composer’s masterpiece was Purcell’s only full opera, written in the late 1680s and apparently performed only once during his lifetime.

Based on Virgil’s Aeneid, it recounts the story of Dido, Queen of Carthage’s love for Aeneas, the Trojan prince.

Dido’s Lament When I am Laid in Earth is considered one of the finest arias in English opera and has been much used in TV and film soundtracks, and annually as part of the Armistice Day commemorations at London’s Whitehall.

Yvette Bonner sings the title role of Dido with Gillian Keith as Belinda, and the role of Aeneas to be announced shortly. Christopher Monks directs Armonico Consort and Baroque Players.

The concert also includes Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, written during the final weeks of the 26-year old composer’s life. Featuring soloists Gillian Keith (soprano) and countertenor William Towers, this deeply moving piece is widely recognised as the definitive setting of the spiritual text and has been described as ‘the master work of Latin music’.

The performance begins at 7.30pm. Contact the box office for tickets.