'Dido & Aeneas' workshop - 20th June 2026

Below is an overview of questions and answers about our forthcoming workshop. If you have more questions for us, please drop us an email (phoenixoperacompany@gmail.com) and we'll get back to you as well as updating the below.

Will the workshop include the whole show or is it just excerpts?

As the whole show runs for under an hour, we are planning to cover the whole piece throughout the course of the day.

Is there parking at the venue?

Yes, there is free on-street parking next to the venue.

Will refreshments be provided?

Tea and coffee will be provided, as will drinks after the performance. For lunch, it would be appreciated if people could bring something to share (unless you have specific dietary requirements, in which case please feel free to bring your own meal).

What do I need to bring with me?

A pencil, please, for annotating scores - other than that, we won't be providing costumes as such but we will share some notes nearer the time about a basic dress code.

Am I expected to memorise music (is it on/off book)?

While it would be great if soloists could learn their parts without music, the aim of the day is for this to be enjoyable and low-pressure so no chorus participants are expected to memorise any music, and for soloists it is optional.

How formal is the evening performance?

The evening performance is a chance for us to put everything together and invite family and friends to watch. It is not a formal, ticketed performance and you are not expected to memorise any music.

Will acting/dancing be involved?

Due to the time constraints of the day, we will be doing some movement for chorus and staging for solo sections but not dancing and not detailed stage direction.

Where can I familiarise myself with the music beforehand?

Unless you are a very accomplished sight-reader or have done the piece before, it's definitely worth having a listen to 'Dido & Aeneas' (there are many good recordings on Spotify and Youtube) and also looking at line-by-line note resources such as Choralia. Scores will be provided at the workshop but you can also buy a copy in advance - we will be using the Oxford Opera edition. However, we will be doing a solid morning of note-bashing for the chorus so please don't worry if you're a long way from note-perfect!