Dido, Queen of Carthage (opera) Dido, Queen of Carthage (opera) Dido, Queen of Carthage was an opera in three acts by Stephen Storace. Its English libretto by Prince Hoare was adapted from Metastasio's 1724 libretto, "Didone abbandonata" ("Dido Abandoned"), which had been set by many composers. Storace's opera premiered on 23 May 1792 at The King's Theatre in London combined with a performance of his masque, "Neptune's Prophecy". The story is based on that of Dido and Aeneas in the fourth book of Virgil's "Aeneid". The opera was not a success and was never revived after its original run of performances. The score has been
Political commentary of the Aeneid that Virgil wrote the "Aeneid" to reflect the Roman political stance of his time. Virgil does this primarily by splitting the story into two parts. The first half shows an obsession with the fall of Troy, together with failed attempts to establish cities during Aeneas' wanderings; while the second half depicts victory in battle and the establishment of a new Troy at Rome. This mirrors Rome's disestablishment of the republic after the strife of a civil war, and the establishment of peace and prosperity with the new Roman Empire. These reflect Augustan propaganda which asks that his people to forget