Composer

:

Henry Purcell

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Aria

Compose Date

:

1689

Average_duration

:

4:17

"When I am laid in earth" is a famous aria from the opera "Dido and Aeneas" composed by Henry Purcell. The opera was composed in 1688 and premiered at a girls' school in London. The aria is also known as "Dido's Lament" and is sung by the character Dido, the Queen of Carthage, as she prepares to take her own life. The aria is in the key of G minor and is written in a slow, mournful tempo. It is a ground bass aria, meaning that the same bass line is repeated throughout the piece while the melody above it changes. The ground bass is a descending chromatic line that creates a sense of sadness and inevitability. The aria is divided into three sections. The first section is sung by Dido as she laments her fate and expresses her desire to die. The second section is a repetition of the ground bass with a new melody sung by the chorus, who mourn Dido's impending death. The final section is a repetition of the first section, with Dido singing a final farewell to the world. The aria is known for its emotional intensity and its beautiful melody. It has been performed and recorded by countless singers and musicians over the years and has become one of the most famous pieces of music from the Baroque era. Overall, "When I am laid in earth" is a powerful and moving piece of music that captures the tragedy and despair of Dido's final moments. Its haunting melody and simple yet effective harmonies have made it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today.

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