New England
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July 7, 2021
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In the final days of the 2020-21 academic year, the Thomas Aquinas College New England Choir and Orchestra performed Henry Purcell’s 1689 opera, Dido and Aeneas, in Margaret Olivia Music Hall. Under the direction of Stephen Grimm (’75), the production spanned two nights — and featured two casts — in order to showcase the breadth of talent on the young campus.

 

 

Above is a video of the April 30 production, in which Bernadette Mohun (’23) and Paul Dinan (’23) played the title roles, while Rebecca Scheurer (’23) and Kathleen Pfeiffer (’23) played the Queen’s handmaiden and Lady-in-Waiting, respectively. Below is the following night's performance, in which Clotilde Cecchi (’22) played the part of Dido; John Metilly (’23), played Aeneas; and Miss Scheurer and Miss Pfeiffer reversed roles.

 

 

For photos of the performances, see the slideshows from the two nights’ performances, below, followed by the full cast list.

April 30 Performance
  • Paul Dinan as Aeneas sings house left of Dido's throne
  • Bernadette Mohun and Kate Pfeiffer as Dido and the lady-in-waiting, respectively
  • Dido, Aeneas, and the ladies in waiting
  • Dido and Aeneas, hands joined
  • The first witch appears
  • The second witch
  • Dido reclines while the ladies in waiting sing
  • The lady-in-waiting sings, alone
  • Aeneas brandishes a monster's head on a spear
  • Aeneas and Dido, as a storm is discovered
  • The messenger sings a funeral song
  • The Sailors carouse with enthusiasm
  • Dido and the lady-in-waiting
  • The spirits shroud the dead body of Dido
May 1 Performance
  • Clotilde Cecchi as Dido, seated on her throne
  • Kate Pfeiffer as the lady in waiting sings to Dido
  • The musicians play
  • Closeup of two of the musicians
  • Both ladies in waiting sing to Dido
  • Ladies and waiting and Dido afront a painted slide
  • John Metilly as Aeneas
  • The ladies in waiting with Aeneas and Dido
  • A lady advises Aeneas
  • Aeneas holds Dido's hand
  • Dido is seated on her throne. Aeneas stands beside her.

CAST

Dido, Queen of Carthage: Bernadette Mohun (’23); Clotilde Cecchi (’22)

Aeneas: Paul Dinan (’23); John Metilly (’23)

Belinda, Queen's handmaiden: Rebecca Scheurer (’23); Kathleen Pfeiffer (’23)

Lady-in-waiting: Kathleen Pfeiffer (’23), Rebecca Scheurer (’23)

Sorceress: Daniela Martens (’24)

Witches: Cecilia Caughron (’23), Anne Berquist (’23)

Sailors: Patrick Loew (’23), Peter Goyette (’22), Nicholas Dighello (’24)

Spirit: Maria Emerson

Cupid: Eleanor Shields

Cherubs: Corazon Emerson


 

CHORUS

Soprano: Cecilia Caughron (’23), Clotilde Cecchi (’22), Kathleen Pfeiffer (’23), Rebecca Scheurer (’23)

Alto: Cecilia Alvarez (’24), Anne Berquist (’23), Miriam Krestyn, Daniela Martens (’24), Madeleine Thurrott (’24)

Tenor: Nicholas Krestyn, Nicholas Dighello (’24), Peter Goyette (’22), Patrick Loew (’23)

Bass: Paul Dinan (’23), Thomas Doylend (’22), Anthony Krestyn, John Metilly (’23), Joseph Rivera (’17)


 

ORCHESTRA

Conductor and Harpsichord: Stephen Grimm (’75)

Violin I: Grace Miller (’24), concertmistress; Joseph Caldwell (’22)

Violin II: Miles Caughron (’23), Nathanael Cassidy (’22), Bernadette Mohun (’23), Gemma Mohun, Margaret Short (’22)

Viola: Elizabeth Lademan (’08), Paul Metilly (’22)

Violoncello: Peter Donahoe (’22), Georgiana Forrester (’24)


 

STAGECREW

Costumes: Rebecca Scheurer (’23), Bernadette Mohun (’23), Laura Grimm

Make-up: Sarah Preciado (’22), Trinity Duggan (’24)

Set decoration: Georgiana Forrester (’24), John Metilly (’23), Kate Pfeiffer (’23)

Special effects: Tanner Sheffield (’23), Tony Burkhard (’23)