To round out this mini survey of the early discography of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas I’m going to fast forward a bit to the 1995 recording by Tafelmusik.  The most striking thing about this version is the very small instrumental ensemble; two violins, viola, violincello and harpsichord led by Jeanne Lamon.  One quickly gets the feel for how they are going to perform with a very fast and rhythmically sprung overture.

It’s perhaps a surprise then that Dido is sung by a very dark mezzo with some vibrato; Jennifer Lane. who also doubles up as the Sorceress.  It does make for a very marked contrast with Ann Monyious’ quite bright Belinda.  It also sounds like the full Tafelmusik Choir is used which is a much bigger group than Parrott uses.  It’s also interesting to hear a young Russell Braun as a very characterful Aeneas.

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