Handel - Acis and Galatea · Look down, harmonious saint / McFadden · Ainsley · Covey-Crump · George · The King's Consort · King

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Though many know it only in a later arrangement for soloists and choruses, Handel wrote this masque for five singers with a small orchestra. Despite the ending (the giant Polyphemus crushes Acis with a rock), the music suggests springtime and young love. There's humor, too: Polyphemus--so big, so dumb, so pleased with himself-- is a comic baritone's dream. George doesn't capture all of the role's humor, but he is vocally well-cast. McFadden sometimes pushes her voice into a wobble, but her Galatea is appealing and sweetly sung. Best are Covey-Crump's graceful Damon (the voice of reason) and Ainsley's youthful, high-spirited Acis. (Ainsley also sings the slight but attractive "Look down.") The ensemble numbers are delightful, and Robert King brings the entire thing off splendidly. --Matthew Westphal

Tracks:

Acis And Galatea: Sinfonia
Acis And Galatea: Chorus
Acis And Galatea: Accompagnato
Acis And Galatea: Air
Acis And Galatea: Air
Acis And Galatea: Recitative
Acis And Galatea: Air Damon
Acis And Galatea: Recitative Acis
Acis And Galatea: Air Acis
Acis And Galatea: OhRecitative Galatea
Acis And Galatea: Air Galatea
Look Down, Harmonious Saint: Duet Galatea

Tracks:

Acis And Galatea: Chorus
Acis And Galatea: Accompagnato
Acis And Galatea: Air
Acis And Galatea: Recitative
Acis And Galatea: Air
Acis And Galatea: Air
Acis And Galatea: Recitative
Acis And Galatea: Air
Acis And Galatea: Air
Acis And Galatea: Recitative
Acis And Galatea: Trio
Acis And Galatea: Accompagnato
Acis And Galatea: Chorus
Acis And Galatea: Chorus
Acis And Galatea: Recitative
Acis And Galatea: Air
Acis And Galatea: Chorus
Acis And Galatea: Look down, harmonious saint

Amazon.com essential recording

Though many know it only in a later arrangement for soloists and choruses, Handel wrote this masque for five singers with a small orchestra. Despite the ending (the giant Polyphemus crushes Acis with a rock), the music suggests springtime and young love. There's humor, too: Polyphemus--so big, so dumb, so pleased with himself-- is a comic baritone's dream. George doesn't capture all of the role's humor, but he is vocally well-cast. McFadden sometimes pushes her voice into a wobble, but her Galatea is appealing and sweetly sung. Best are Covey-Crump's graceful Damon (the voice of reason) and Ainsley's youthful, high-spirited Acis. (Ainsley also sings the slight but attractive "Look down.") The ensemble numbers are delightful, and Robert King brings the entire thing off splendidly. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Glorious Handel.......2001-10-31

This is a funny and deeply moving version of one of Handel's finest works wonderfully conducted by the great Robert King. The story is simple yet clever, and the music is complex yet unpretentious. The orchestra and chorus are truly exceptional, both in the big brassy numbers and in the slower, more intimate moments.

The singers are also great. Claron McFadden is a sweet, moving, perfect Galatea; Rogers Covey-Crump is a clever and knowing Damon (Consider, Fond Shepherd is one of the highlights); and Michael George is a funny and silly, yet somewhat poignat, Polyphemus. And I feel a very special mention must be made of John Mark Ainsley's performance, he manages to bring a depth and complexity to a rather simple character that makes his Acis the best I've ever heard.

Glorious, essential Handel.

Music Review: