Handel’s Acis and Galatea
The 2024/25 season opens with Handel’s ravishing pastorale – Acis and Galatea.
Handel’s Acis and Galatea is one of the composer’s most beloved and successful operas. Sung in English and featuring some of Handel’s most ravishing music for singing and dancing, Acis and Galatea is the perfect introduction to opera and ballet for the entire family.
Click here to download the House Program!
Scroll down for your guide to the show!
Cast
Artists of Atelier Ballet
Eric Cesar de Mello da Silva
The Orchestra
Tafelmusik
Every now and then a group of musicians comes along and changes the way we think about music. For over four decades, Tafelmusik has been synonymous worldwide with dynamic, engaging, and soulful performances informed by scholarship, passion, and artistic excellence.
Performed on instruments and in styles appropriate to the era, 17th- to 19th-century instrumental and choral music share the stage with exciting multimedia programs, bold new commissions, and intriguing cross-cultural collaborations. From a vibrant home season in Toronto, to international tours, award-winning recordings, and inspiring education programs, Tafelmusik is a musical powerhouse with a reputation for thrilling and delighting audiences.
Learn more about Tafelmusik at www.tafelmusik.org
The Choir
The Nathaniel Dett Chorale
The multi-faceted vocalists of The Nathaniel Dett Chorale perform all styles and genres of music as appropriate to the traditions of Africa and its Diasporas. The Chorale’s mission is to build bridges of understanding, appreciation, and acceptance between communities of people through the medium of Afrocentric choral music.
Founder D. Brainerd Blyden-Taylor named The Nathaniel Dett Chorale after internationally renowned African Canadian composer R. Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943) to draw attention to Dett’s legacy, to the breadth of Afrocentric choral music, and to be a professional choral ensemble where persons of African heritage can be
well represented.
Currently in its 25 th Season, The Nathaniel Dett Chorale was recently named Artist in Residence at The Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on Africa and its Diasporas at York University.
Learn more about NDC at www..nathanieldettchorale.org
Your Guide to Handel's Acis and Galatea
Click the name of the aria to hear the song in Youtube!
Act 1: Pastoral Bliss and Love’s Awakening
Acis and Galatea, Handel’s ravishing pastoral, depicts Ovid’s tale of the water nymph Galatea and her doomed love for the Arcadian shepherd Acis. The opera weaves together a story of startling sensuality and humour blended with moments of heart-rending poignancy – all told through Handel’s most sublime music for singing and dancing.
Acis, a tenor, (Antonin Rondpierre) responds with “Love in her eyes sits playing,” a heartfelt declaration of his affection for Galatea. Their love is pure and mutual, symbolizing the harmony of nature. The act concludes with the duet “Happy we,” where Acis and Galatea envision a future filled with eternal bliss.
Important Arias in Act 1:
- “Hush, ye pretty warbling quire” – Galatea
- “Love in her eyes sits playing” – Acis
- “Happy we” – Acis and Galatea
Act 2: Jealousy and Turmoil
The second act introduces tension with the arrival of the giant Polyphemus (Douglas Williams), a bass, who is infatuated with Galatea (Meghan Lidnsay). His aria “O ruddier than the cherry” grotesquely contrasts with the purity of Acis and Galatea’s love. Polyphemus’s unrequited desire for Galatea disrupts the pastoral harmony, leading to jealousy and conflict.
Galatea’s sorrow is palpable in her aria “Heart, thou seat of soft delight,” as she laments the looming threat to her happiness. Acis, undeterred by the giant’s presence, vows to protect his beloved with the aria “Love sounds th’alarm,” showcasing his bravery and dedication.
Important Arias in Act 2:
- “O ruddier than the cherry” – Polyphemus
- “Heart, thou seat of soft delight” – Galatea
- “Love sounds th’alarm” – Acis
Act 3: Tragic Consequences and Eternal Love
The climax of “Acis and Galatea” occurs in the final act. Polyphemus, enraged by jealousy, brutally murders Acis with a boulder. Galatea’s grief is powerfully conveyed in the aria “Must I my Acis still bemoan,” mourning the loss of her beloved.
In a poignant resolution, Galatea uses her divine powers to transform Acis into an eternal river, immortalizing their love. The chorus “Galatea, dry thy tears” brings solace and hope, celebrating the undying nature of true love.
Important Arias in Act 3:
- “Must I my Acis still bemoan” – Galatea
- “Galatea, dry thy tears” – Chorus
Handel’s “Acis and Galatea” is a timeless pastoral opera that blends beautiful arias with a poignant narrative of love, jealousy, and transformation. Each act and aria contributes to the rich tapestry of emotions, making it a beloved masterpiece in the Baroque repertoire.