Synopsis: The Trojans are rejoicing at the apparent
withdrawal of the Greek army after ten years of siege. They come out into the plain,
examining with great curiosity the gigantic horse the Greeks have left behind. Cassandra,
daughter of King Priam, who has been blessed by the gods with the gift of prophecy, and
then cursed because no one will believe her, is the only one who foresees doom, except a
priest, Laocoon. But when Laocoon tries to destroy the horse, he and his sons are crushed
to death by two serpents. Learning of this, the people joyously drag the horse within the
gates as a good omen. But Cassandra continues her prophecy of doom, unbelieved even by her
lover Choroebus. When the Greeks contained within the horse have opened the gates to the
returning army and Troy is sacked, only Aeneas, warned by the ghost of Hector, escapes
with his son. Cassandra appears before the women of Troy and persuades them to take their
own lives rather than become slaves to the Greeks. As the invading army enters, demanding
the Trojan treasure, Cassandra stabs herself and all the women, except a craven few who
are allowed to go, follow suit.
Queen Dido, who has fled from Tyre with her court, has
established a flourishing city, Carthage, on the African coast. Her sister Anna counsels
her to remarry (she is the widow of Sichaeus), but Dido resolves to remain faithful to her
husband's memory and to give all her energies to the building of her city. The Trojans
arrive under assumed identities and are warmly welcomed. When Narbal, Dido's minister,
brings news the Iarbus and his Numidians have invaded, Aeneas reveals his true identity
and repels the invaders. Dido falls in love with the Greek hero, much to the disquiet of
Narbal. In a symphonic interlude, The Royal Hunt and Storm, naiads and satyrs disport
themselves in the forest until disturbed by the royal hunting party. Dido is dressed as
Diana, goddess of the hunt. A raging storm drives Dido and Aeneas into a cave, where
presumably their love is consummated. Peace is gradually restored.
The couple watch a celebration, including a ballet and a
song by the poet Iopas, and Aeneas recounts the history of Troy's fall. After an extended
love duet, the couple departs, as the figure of Mercury appears, strikes Aeneas's shield
and cries out "Italy!" Both Dido and Aeneas have forgotten their duty. Now the
Trojans must depart on their mission, although Aeneas grieves to lose Dido. All her pleas
are not proof against warnings from the ghosts of Priam, Choroebus, Cassandra, and Hector,
however. The Trojan ships sail away, and Dido determines to die. She mounts a funeral pyre
and stabs herself, as a vision of Rome triumphant appears to her and to the revengeful
Carthaginians.
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