One of the earliest English operas, Dido and Aeneas was composed over a number of years towards the end of Purcell's life. It sets a part of Virgil's Aeneid, telling the story of the tragic love affair between the Queen of Carthage and a Trojan hero. There is great musical variety in the piece, from the rumbustious Come away, fellow sailors! to the moving finale When I am laid in earth which is a regular feature at remembrance services.