George Handel Acis and Galatea
Plot Synopsis and Character Description of English Masque
Dec 15, 2008
George Frideric Handel (February 23, 1685 – April 14, 1759) composed this two-act opera, Acis and Galatea, an English masque. Libretto was written by John Gay, Alexander Pope and John Hughes, based on John Dryden translation of "Metamorphoses" by Ovid. It was premiered at Cannons, Court Theater, c. 1718.
Acis and Galatea was revised, and premiered on June 10, 1732, at the King's Theater in the Hay-Market, London. It was expanded to three acts, then further revised by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1788.
Brief History of Acis and Galatea
As early as 1708 before Handel moved permanently to England, he had already explored the oratorio form. In 1708, he also visited Naples, where he composed this serenata Aci, Galatea e Polifemo. On his move to England, Handel decided to revise some of the music he wrote in Italy to make them suitable for the London audience.
Among those he revised was this serenata, which he amended as an English masque. This form became so loved and appreciated in the 17th-century England. It was also one of the early types of opera which was based on mythology or allegory. There is an overture.
Notable aria: "As when the dove laments" (Galatea) and "Love sounds the alarm" (Acis)
Cast of Characters
- Galatea, a semi-divine nymph (soprano)
- Acis, A Shepherd (tenor or soprano)
- Damon, Shepherd-friend of Acis (tenor, alto or countertenor)
- Polyphemus, A Monstrous giant, from Greek mythology, one of the Cyclops (bass)
- Chorus roles are done by nymphs and shepherds
This drama is described as Serenata, masque or pastoral opera. The synopsis is simple and derived from the earlier 2-Act version. A "masque" is characterized as a form of festive entertainment during the 16th and early 17th century Europe, although it developed earlier in Italy.
Plot Summary / Synopses
The Setting is in a rural landscape in ancient times
Act I
The nymph, Galatea, is in love with Acis, a shepherd. She longs to be reunited with her lover, the shepherd Acis, who likewise misses her. Damon tries to get Acis's mind off Galatea.
Act II
Polyphemus, the monstrous giant, falls in love with Galatea. Being in love with Acis, Galatea naturally rejects the giant. Acis challenges Polyphemus but is crushed under a rock. Galatea is distraught, but the other nymphs remind her that she is divine, so Galatea saves Acis by turning him into a stream, making him immortal.
Sources:
The Da Capo Opera Manual, by Nicholas Ivor Martin. New York: Da Capo Press, 1997
The World of Oratorio, by Kurt Pahlen, Translations and Dox Additions. Oregon: Amadeus Press, 1990
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