Georg friedrich händel: Acis + Galatea

Performances September 15 - 17, 2017 at The Annex Theatre, Vancouver BC, Canada

Our opera was selected one of the best musical events in Vancouver on 2017! Read more from Vancouver Classical Music https://www.vanclassicalmusic.com/best-musical-events-of-2017

ITS ORIGINAL PLOT

Set in the “pleasure of the plains”, a happy and peaceful community of nymphs and shepherds revel in their surroundings singing “Harmless, merry, free and gay”. The sea-nymph, Galatea, has fallen in love with the young shepherd, Acis, and their romance seems to enchant the world around them. However, the peaceful harmony of the nymphs and shepherds is soon disrupted by the cyclops and demi-god, Polyphemus, who seeks the hand of Galatea. After being rejected by Galatea, Polyphemus becomes enraged with jealousy and attacks Acis, crushing him beneath a boulder. Galatea mourns the loss of her lover, but is gently reminded by her companions of her divine powers. She immortalizes Acis and their love by transforming him into a murmuring fountain.

PLOT IN OUR ADAPTED VERSION

Our re-conceptualization, is set in the 19th Century but both Acis and Galatea are portrayed by and depicted as women. The two become part of a secret community who often retreat to a ‘safe-space’ in the woods where they are free to express themselves in terms of gender and sexual orientation. But soon, the community is disrupted by Polyphemus, Galatea’s husband, who has followed her. He has discovered her secret and demands that Galatea reject this affair with Acis. Galatea stands up to Polyphemus and tells him that she is in love with Acis and asks him to love her for who she is.   In a fit of rage, he attacks Acis who violently dies in Galatea’s arms. Instead of furthering the violence, the community gathers around Galatea and mourn the loss of Acis.   Recognizing that her life and her story must not be in vain they erect a natural monument of Acis, transforming her life and her love into a symbol of hope.

Featuring:

Rachel Fenlon as Galatea

Debi Wong as Acis

Peter Monaghan as Polyphemus

Alan Corbishley, Director

Debi Wong, Dramaturge

Matias Häkkinen, Music Director

Chorus:

Marie Civitarese as Damon

Heather Molloy

C.D. Saint

Clinton Stoffberg

William Alexander Liu

Ensemble Nylandia:

Sini Vahervuo, traverso and recordes

Meelis Orgse, 1st violin

Kaisa Ruotsalainen, 2nd violin

Tatu Ahola, cello

Solmund Nystabakk, lute and theorbo

Matias Häkkinen, cembalo and conducting

Co-produced by re:Naissance Opera & Sound the Alarm: Music/Theater (BC Living Arts) with support from The Vancouver Foundation, BC Arts Council & Early Music Vancouver.

80 minutes running time, no intermission

Video: Debi Wong, photography: Diamond's Edge Photography

Reviews:

Vancouver Classical Music 18 Sep 2017: A SENSITIVE AND COMPELLING UPDATING OF HANDEL’S ACIS AND GALATEA

Opera Canada 19 Sep 2017: Review: Acis and Galatea, Annex Theatre, Vancouver, Sept. 16, 2017

https://www.reopera.com/acis-galatea

https://www.facebook.com/acisandgalatea/