Ōamaru Chorale is making opera accessible with its production of Dido and Aeneas, on next weekend.

The chorale is performing a concert version of Henry Purcell’s English opera, which is less than an hour long.

Dido, the queen of Carthage, falls in love with Aeneas, a Trojan hero who is on a mission, to found Rome. He has to leave Carthage, which leaves Dido heartbroken. Their love story becomes a classic tale of passion versus duty.

Music director David Beattie says the group has been rehearsing since February, and things are going well.

Accomplished opera singer and singing teacher Rebecca Ryan (not the Waitaki District Councillor) plays the lead Dido, while Tim Blackler (yes, the Waitaki District Councillor) is her Aeneas.

The cast also has some younger cast members with Georgina Carter Trotman (18) playing the first witch and Anne Porteous (16) the second.

Also experienced in stage performing, Fleur Tudor Oakley plays the Sorceress, and Waitaki Girls’ High School head of music Sophie Pilbrow plays Dido’s sister Belinda - a role she has performed before.

“[The Sorceress/Fleur] has rather an imposing presence, so very much we are looking at the idea of her being the, yeah, well the two witches being her apprentices,” David says.

He directed the same opera in 2006, with a choir in Wainuiomata.

“It's a great little piece, because it's under an hour long and it's got plenty of varied and interesting choruses for a choir to sing, and certainly it's within the capabilities of a choir - the sort of choir that A) I had in Wainuiomata, and B) we are here,” he says.

David had to look around “a wee bit” for soloists, because he was determined to use local talent, but eventually put together his ensemble.

Ōamaru Chorale members, from left, Georgina Carter Trotman (First Witch), Anne Porteous (Second Witch) and musical director David Beattie. Photo: Supplied

Georgina, who finished high school last year, says this is her first time performing with the Ōamaru Chorale.

“I saw them perform at the end of last year for the first time and decided to join at the start of this year, and I’m glad I did,” she says.

Dido and Aeneas is her first opera.

“I am relatively new to opera. I have been taking singing lessons through school for a while, and it was only within the last two years that I have really started looking at classical and operatic singing.”

Georgina has been loving the experience and is keen to do more.

“The most challenging part is getting on top of the melody and the timing, but hearing everything coming together is worth it.”

She says Dido and Aeneas has a lot of catchy melodies and choruses, an interesting storyline, and “a good amount of peril”. She recommends it to everyone.

Georgina is taking a gap year to consider her next move after finishing school.

“What I know for sure is that I’m definitely going to continue looking at opera and classical singing. I am having so much fun.”

The concert is being held at the Ōamaru Repertory Theatre on Itchen Street on Saturday, 24 May. Tickets are $10 at the door, and children are free.