Morningside College has been named among the national finalists for The American Prize in Opera Performance – College/University Division for its production of “Dido and Aeneas.” Morningside is the only private liberal arts college to receive this designation for the 2018-19 season.

Sioux City, IA – Morningside College has been named among the national finalists for The American Prize in Opera Performance – College/University Division for its production of “Dido and Aeneas.” Morningside is the only private liberal arts college to receive this designation for the 2018-19 season.

“Dido and Aeneas” is a 17th-century opera written by famed composer Henry Purcell about Dido, an ancient Carthaginian queen, falling in love with Aeneas, a Trojan war hero. The cast was comprised of Morningside students and community members, with the lead roles performed by Jori Ellenbecker (‘18) and Blair Remmers (’14). The theatre program at Morningside is coordinated by assistant professor Taylor Clemens, and the production was directed by Richard Gammon and conducted by Sean Burton.

The American Prize is an annual series of new, non-profit national competitions in the performing arts that provides cash awards and recognition for the best recorded performances by ensembles and individuals at the professional, collegiate, church, community, and secondary school levels in the United States. Learn more at www.theamericanprize.blogspot.com.

Theatre is part of the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Morningside College. All Morningside students, regardless of major, are invited to audition, perform, and experience the fine arts opportunities on campus. Learn more at www.morningside.edu/performing-arts.

*Photo by Tim Hynds, Sioux City Journal