Sonya Yoncheva will sing the role of Dido in Dido and Æneas in four performances in France. The October 7 performance at the Opéra National Capitol Toulouse will be in concert form, while the shows on October 18, 19, and 20 at the Opéra Royal, Chateau de Versailles (a new production) will be staged by Cécile Roussat et Julien Lubek. Stefan Plewniak will lead the Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal. The other soloists, primarily members of the Académie de l’Opéra Royal de Versailles, include Sarah Charles as Belinda and Halidou Nombre as Æneas, Attila Varga-Tóth in the other leading roles.

Though internationally revered for her Bel-canto, Verdi, Puccini, and Verismo heroines, which she has been portraying on all the most prestigious stages, the Bulgarian soprano is an alumna of William Christie’s Le Jardin des Voix and has maintained a particular focus on the Early and Baroque repertory. She has interpreted Purcell’s gem several times, including a tour with William Christie in Europe, Russia, and the US.