Holland Park Opera. Acis and Galatea

This opera by Handel stands out as a classic of the Baroque period of music. A time before heavier, more intricate operas. This opera has a lightness and a joyful simplicity. The first act has the requisite opera themes of love and devotion as the mortal shepherd, Acis (Anthony Gregory) meets the beautiful goddess sea nymph Galatea and both fall in love. This act has wonderful arias for Galateas (Elizabeth Karani)

 bell like soprano to soar to heaven and dip into sweetness. Set against the orchestras rendering of Handel’s exquisite score one is transported back the 18th century. Equally, Acis sings tenderly of his love and ardour for Galatea. This bond is sealed, however, Damon (Ruairi Bowen) a shepherd friend, urges caution by singing of the futility of love between a goddess and a mere mortal from which only disaster will follow.            

 

The second act ramps up the tension when the Cyclops Polyphemus (Chuma Sijeqa) sees Acis and Galatea and is enraged with jealousy. The rich baritone voice of Polyphemus tries to woo Galatea but to no avail and then the fateful moment of frustration he flings a huge boulder at Acis, killing him. All gather around his body to sing a touching and soulful lament full of sorrow for the dead Acis.  Here the exquisite playing of the small orchestra, under conductor Michael Papadopoulos, captures the mournful feel of the music and all are touched by its sadness. Galatea cannot bear to be parted from Acis, so the final act is for her, as a goddess, to resurrect Acis anew. He once more stands amongst the living to flow over Galatea forever.

 

A wonderful night of Baroque music with an opera that deserves to be considered one of the best from Handel.  

Mike Aburrow