Posted by V.westwood on November 11, 19102 at 18:07:18:

In Reply to: Purcell's Belinda posted by Slackbridge on September 25, 19102 at 07:11:49:

: Can anyone explain the presence of one "Belinda" in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas? Is there any significance to it save the connection with Pope?

Do you mean the purpose?.......of belinda?.....to me that is obvious....i dont know about the pope.....but Belinda is a means of communicating to the audience i.e......In the final recitative and Aria of Dido....she conveys her most private and personal, (and moving) thoughts to the audience THROUGH Belinda, as belinda is conviniently her hand-maiden...with whom she can discuss her fears and joys etc....it doesnt seem odd to the audience then, that she is talking directly to them,....I dont know if this is what you were asking for........but ive just spent the last 3 weeks writing an essay on dido and aeneas.....and im an expert now ;)

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