Handel’s pastoral opera with libretto by John Gay based on Ovid’s Metamorphoses (book XIII) is a tale of love, tragedy and liberation. The eternal love between the mortal shepherd Acis and goddess Galatea is doomed by the jealous cyclops Polyphemus. Handel’s music beautifully demonstrates the pain and love in such beautiful, dramatic choruses as ‘Wretched lovers!’ and the grief felt by Galatea in ‘Must I my Acis still bemoan’.
Staying true to the premiere in 1718, we will use only five singers and nine instrumentalists in this intimate performance.
Performers
The Sixteen
Harry Christophers conductor
Soloists:
Grace Davidson Galatea
Jeremy Budd Acis
Mark Dobell Damon
Simon Berridge Coridon
Stuart Young Polyphemus
Concert performance
Programme
Handel Acis and Galatea