The Queen of Carthage: Retelling of Greek tragedy will focus on female empowerment

An interview with Marisa Gold, choreographer and dancer in The Queen of Carthage.

This summer, the 2023 Early Music Vancouver Summer Festival (previously named the Vancouver Bach Festival), will showcase the achievement of women composers, librettists, and performers of the past and present. Running July 27 to August 5 at various venues including SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts and The Orpheum Annex, the theme for this year’s festival is WOMENinSIGHT. The festival will kick off with the world premiere of The Queen of Carthage, co-produced by Early Music Vancouver (EMV) and re:Naissance Opera.

Telling the mythic Greek tragedy of Dido, The Queen of Carthage is an interdisciplinary performance of music and dance. Marisa Gold, a multidisciplinary dance artist, will choreograph and dance this work. Juolin Lee will accompany Gold in the show’s dancing. Soprano Charlotte Siegel will play Queen Dido. The show is directed by Debi and Stephanie Wong, and music directed by Catalina Vicens.

I recently interviewed Marisa about her involvement with this show and what audiences can expect.

Can you tell me how you got involved as choreographer and dancer for The Queen of Carthage?

Marisa Gold, choreographer/dancer in The Queen of Carthage.

Marisa: I previously worked with re:Naissance Opera as a dancer in their performance of Live From the Underworld - a multidisciplinary series that included motion capture and live opera singers. I am so excited to return now as both choreographer and dancer for re:Naissance Opera’s next project. Big thanks to Artistic Director Debi Wong for inviting me back!

What type of research did you do in preparation for putting this piece together?

We are still in the beginning stages of putting everything together. On my end of things, research includes listening to examples of the score and taking notes on imagery that arises, reading different interpretations of The Queen of Carthage to gain a deeper connection to the characters, and having production meetings with the creative team.

Can you provide a high-level description of what audiences can expect from this show?

Marisa: Audiences can expect to witness the rich emotional life of Queen Dido. Bringing together baroque and contemporary music with contemporary dance, we will express her vulnerability as well as her power! 

This is a famous story that's been retold many times before. Our project is special, I think, because it focuses on Queen Dido as the embodiment of strength. Reclaiming her character as an empowered legend and leader. Portraying her vulnerability as power, not weakness. Even though her story ends in tragedy, her power lives on through the lessons from her life. In this retelling, we look back at the past to reimagine an empowered future.

What are you most hoping for audiences to walk away thinking/feeling after seeing The Queen of Carthage?

I am hoping audiences walk away feeling empowered by our expression of the story! Queen Dido is a powerful figure who goes through an epic emotional journey. Myself and dancer Juolin Lee will physically interpret aspects of that journey throughout the work. Sometimes representing the Queen herself and sometimes bringing to life abstract imagery pertaining to the story.

The Queen of Carthage plays on July 27 at 8pm at SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. Visit the EMV website for Early Music Vancouver Summer Festival information and tickets.