Acis and Galatea

Thursday May 29, 2003, 8:00 pm

Friday May 30, 2003, 8:00 pm

Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours

[a] 400, rue Saint-Paul Est — Vieux-Montréal, Québec [métro Champ-de-Mars]
[w] http://www.marguerite-bourgeoys.com/

Concert version of Handel’s Pastoral masque

Written in 1718 for the Duke of Chanos’ private theatre, Acis and Galatea tells the story of a nymph (Galatea), her shepherd lover (Acis), and the cyclops (Polyphemus) who also loved her. This brief English masque (an early form of opera) is one of Handel’s best theatrical works. It portrays a pastoral world, and deftly sketches character with an exquisite flow of melody. It is no wonder that this remained one of Handel’s most popular works throughout the 18th century.