Didon (Desmarets)

Didon is an opera in a prologue and five acts by Henri Desmarets, with a libretto by Nicolas Pradon based on Virgil's Aeneid. It premiered in Paris on 12 February 1693 at the Académie Royale de Musique. The opera is notable for its length and complexity, featuring a large cast and elaborate staging. While not as frequently performed as some other Baroque operas, it holds a significant place in the history of French opera due to its scale and the reputation of its composer and librettist. Desmarets, a prominent composer of the period, integrated various musical styles prevalent at the time, reflecting the evolving landscape of French opera in the late 17th century. The libretto itself, while adapted from a classical source, incorporates elements characteristic of the theatrical tastes of its time. The opera's reception upon its premiere and subsequent performances, unfortunately, are not extensively documented in readily available sources. Research into performance history and critical reception remains an area requiring further study.