It is hard to imagine a more delightful way to spend a Saturday evening at the Lammermuir Festival than a programme of this quality in the wonderful venue of the ancient St Mary's Church.
Robert Hollingworth conducted Purcell's Dido and Aeneas in St Andrews a decade or so ago, when he led a team of local performers, the Kellie Consort. Here he brought the group with which he has been associated for many years - I Fagiolini.
The first part of the programme consisted of extracts from the master's other stage works. Some were easily recognised, at least in concert form - Dioclesian and King Arthur. The others, Circe and Celaria, were not even familiar as names. 'Music for a While' is, of course, an acknowledged masterpiece.
After the interval, Dido itself, no matter how familiar, can never be heard too often, at least when done as well as this.
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