Raffaele Pe; G Bridelli; A Mastroni; La Lira Di Orfeo
Description
Handel’s dramatic cantata Aci, Galatea e Polifemo is a serenata first performed in Naples in 1708 with a libretto by Niccola Giuvo after Book 13 of Ovid’s Metamorphoses.
Handel adapted this score several times: The one-act masque Acis and Galatea (HWV 49), with an English text by John Gay, was first performed at Cannons in 1718.
This was followed by, among others, a version as a three-act serenata for the Italian opera company in London in 1732 and an adaptation of the original English work into a two-act work in 1739.
The so-called ‘Senesino version’ presented on this recording is based on a manuscript from the British library in London.
In this version probably written for the famous castrato Senesino, Aci is an alto and Galatea is a soprano, all arias of the two characters are transposed. Polifemo’s part is almost completely re-written, with long accompanied recitatives and new arias.
The instrumentation is slightly different from the Neapolitan version: No trumpets are present but a more extended use of woodwinds and recorders.
Tracklisting
Soloists, Netherlands Chamber Choir, Orchestra of the 18th Century, Frans Bruggen
Orchestra of the 18th Century, Frans Bruggen
Eric Hoeprich, Teunis van der Zwart, Orchestra of the 18th Century, Frans Bruggen
Jonatan Alvarado; Ariel Abramovich
Graindelavoix; Bjorn Schmelzer
Paolo Pandolfo
Orphenica Lyra; Jose Miguel Moreno
Jose Miguel Moreno; Emma Kirkby
Arianna Art Ensemble
Steven Isserlis
Marie Stockmarr Becker & Ilaria Macedonio
Paolo Pandolfo
Apollo's Fire; Jeannette Sorrell
Apollo's Fire; Jeannette Sorrell
Altberg Ensemble, Jorg-Andreas Botticher
Musica Temprana
