English Touring Opera's autumn season, which has a mythological theme, includes a double bill of Elena Langer's 'Ariadne' and Purcell's 'Dido and Aeneas'. This pairing is touring alongside Gluck's 'Orpheus and Eurydice'.
Langer's 'Ariadne' is a 20-minute scene for soprano, with words by Glyn Maxwell. It was premiered by Almeida Opera in 2002. Jessica Cale performs the monologue, with Anna Morrissey's production featuring six people on stage.
Rebecca Meltzer's staging of 'Dido and Aeneas' presents a different world, with a playground dynamic. Samantha Price sings the title role, and Alex Robinson directs the orchestra from the harpsichord.