Handel’s Opera Acis and Galatea

Handel’s Acis and Galatea was by far the most popular dramatic work during Handel’s lifetime, and is his only stage work never to have left the opera repertory. The opera is based on the characters Acis and Galatea from Greek mythology: the story tells of the love between the mortal Acis and the sea-nymph Galatea; when the jealous cyclops Polyphemus kills Acis, the sea-nymph Galatea transforms her lover into an immortal river spirit.

Many consider Acis and Galatea the greatest pastoral opera ever composed. The music of the first act is both elegant and sensual, while the final act takes on a more melancholy and plaintive tone, and provides the listener with some of Handel’s most beautiful music.

Conductor Andrew Wailes directs an exciting cast of outstanding soloists with the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra in the intimate Ballarat Central Uniting Church.

Andrew Wailes (Conductor)
Lily Flyn (Galatea) soprano
Timothy Reynolds (Acis) tenor
Alastair Cooper-Golec (Damon) tenor
Nicholas Dinopoulos (Polyphemus) bass-baritone
Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir
Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra
Stefan Cassomenos (Harpsichord)