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24 March 2017, 15:31 | Updated: 6 January 2021, 16:24
Is it possible to hear this masterpiece by Purcell without sobbing? We think emphatically not. So we asked harpsichordist and conductor Trevor Pinnock to explain exactly how Purcell reduces us to tears every time.
Dido's Lament from Purcell's opera Dido and Aeneas is arguably the saddest piece of music ever written. But how exactly does Purcell manipulate our emotions to make sure we well up each and every time we hear it?
We popped round to the house of legendary harpsichordist and conductor Trevor Pinnock to ask him to explain what Purcell's doing in this world-famous aria and what makes it such a tear-jerker.
Bear with us, we realise we've gone very technical very early on here. But, as Trevor explains, the fact that the melody carries on over the end of one phrase of the ground-bass means you're welling up from the get-go.
Trevor Pinnock's guide to Dido's LamentWhy is Dido's Lament by Purcell so utterly heartbreaking? We asked the legendary Trevor Pinnock to break it down for us.
Posted by Classic FM on Wednesday, 6 January 2016
Ah, that yearning melody. But what exactly makes it sound like the devastated cry of a woman parted forever from her lover? Trevor is here to explain:
Trevor Pinnock's guide to Purcell's Dido's LamentWhy exactly is Dido's Lament by Purcell so terribly sad? We asked Trevor Pinnock to explain.
Posted by Classic FM on Wednesday, 6 January 2016
These ornaments (similar to grace notes or passing notes) pepper this aria. And that's part of Purcell's masterplan to get you weeping into your opera glasses:
Trevor Pinnock's guide to Dido's Lament – and why it makes us cryWhat makes Dido's Lament so unbearably sad? We asked an expert (the legendary Trevor Pinnock) to explain
Posted by Classic FM on Wednesday, 6 January 2016
These, Trevor explains, basically = DESPAIR.
Trevor Pinnock's guide to Dido's Lament by PurcellWe asked the brilliant Trevor Pinnock to explain why exactly Dido's Lament has us in bits every time.
Posted by Classic FM on Wednesday, 6 January 2016
Yes, it's these sneaky little ornaments again, getting into your heart and making it break.
Trevor Pinnock's guide to Dido's LamentWe asked the brilliant Trevor Pinnock to explain why exactly Dido's Lament breaks our heart into tiny pieces
Posted by Classic FM on Wednesday, 6 January 2016
He's heard it countless times, directed it from the harpsichord almost as often and studied it in detail, so does Purcell's masterful aria still break Trevor Pinnock's heart?
Trevor Pinnock still finds Dido's Lament unbearably sadTrevor Pinnock has heard and conducted Dido's Lament countless times, but he still find it utterly heart-wrenching…
Posted by Classic FM on Wednesday, 6 January 2016
Best grab a tissue.