What makes Dido's Lament one of the most heartbreaking arias in opera history? Learn!
Who's behind the notes? Discover Henry Purcell: England's Baroque Master
Dido's Lament is a profoundly moving aria from Henry Purcell's opera "Dido and Aeneas", composed in 1688. It features a descending chromatic bass line (a ground bass) that symbolizes grief and inevitability. The aria expresses Queen Dido's despair as she prepares for death after being abandoned by Aeneas. Its emotional depth and musical innovation have made it one of the most celebrated pieces of Baroque music.