Purcell's Dido and Aeneas : Lovely BBC Film Production

1.A CD with Harnoncourt at the Baton
2.A wonderful dance adaption on DVD from the Mark Morris dance group (sadly, this is no longer available on netflix or amazon). The singers were off on the side while the dancers portrayed the characters and action. Very creatively done.
3.A live production by UNIPAC, with some really excellent leads.
4.This film version (which I find interesting that it came out the same year as the dance version I mentioned above). My comments on this version below.

Of these, this last experience with "Dido and Aeneas" was probably the most moving for me. I love the music to this opera, but it is true that there is a lot of text repeated throughout the work. That aspect makes it a visual challenge on the stage. What do you do with all that extra time? Film opens up the possibilities here; you aren't tied to a stage space. The film itself is very creatively done. Beautiful art production, costumes, sets and even some really, really cool pyrotechnics/special effects.

Of the opera itself: I am generally not a fan of tragedy. For "Dido" I make an exception. Perhaps it is because the music is so beautiful and has such great variety in the score, from haunting love songs, to jaunty love songs, to laughing witch choruses and jubilant sailor's choruses, to the exquisite "Dido's Lament" that is the subject of many a college examination of the work. My personal favorite, besides the lament, is "Pursue thy Conquest Love" - it's just too much fun!

Plotwise (this is based on historical legend so you can't fault Purcell or his librettist), I could never understand why it was preferable to die, rather than to go off with your love and tame the shores of Italy together. Oh well.

One drawback: I may have cast another singer in the role of Dido, but other than that I have zero complaints. This is a great version of the first "English" opera to borrow or buy. It is visually compelling, a great romp and satisfying to the ear.