Handel - Acis and Galatea (Original 1959 Sir Adrian Boult version) - Sutherland, Pears, Brannigan

Acis and Galatea, an opera in 2 acts with a libretto by John Gay, written in 1718 and first performed for London audiences in 1732, was Handel’s first successful dramatic work written in English. The pastoral opera was an instant success towards both the elite and public audiences, receiving immense appraisal by countless musicians and musicologists. It was so well-known upon its release that Mozart rescored his own version of the opera in German for the likes of his own patrons. Although there have been some great recordings of the Mozartean version, Handel’s version of Acis and Galatea still remains as one of Handel’s most performed and recorded and well-known operas. This video is the second recording of this opera, following the first recording under Walter Goehr and the Handel Society in 1951 with Richard Lewis.

In my opinion, this 1959 version blows almost every other recording out of the water, featuring the young blossoming voice of the legendary Joan Sutherland before her stardom, and the masterful Peter Pears in his utmost prime. Owen Brannigan also provides an impressive and humorous basso buffo performance. Damon is played by lyric tenor David Galliver, whose voice is very different compared to Peter Pears’ huskier voice, with a timbre of lightness and gentleness. Galliver also interprets the down-to-earth Damon who hilariously advises Polyphemus to flirt more "gently" with Galatea after she rejects him and flees in terror ("Would You Gain The Tender Creature"). There is sadly no known photograph of David Galliver, so Peter Pears will be on the screen for his arias.

Galatea - Joan Sutherland
Acis - Sir Peter Pears
Polyphemus - Owen Brannigan
Damon - David Galliver

Conducted by Sir Adrian Boult
Harpsichord by Thurston Dart

Overture (0:00)
ACT 1 - Handel applies happy music to a happy pastoral scene.

Chorus - Oh! The Pleasure of the Plains! [3:40]
Recitative (Galatea) - Ye Verdant Plains [9:21]
Aria - (Galatea) Hush Ye Pretty Warbling Choir [10:23]
Aria (Acis) - Where Shall I Seek The Charming Fair! [14:52]
Recitative (Damon) - Stay, Shepherd, Stay! [17:31]
Aria (Damon) - Shepherd! What Art Thou Pursuing? [18:07]
Recitative (Acis) - Lo! Here, My Love! [21:09]
Aria (Acis) - Love In Her Eyes Sits Playing [21:43]
Recitative (Galatea) - O Didst Thou Know [27:48]
Aria (Galatea) - As When The Dove [28:14]
Duet (Galatea, Acis) - Happy We! [33:07]

ACT 2 - This act has much darker music in it. Already, in the beginning, the fate of Acis and Galatea is foreshadowed through the chorus, "Wretched Lovers" through a haunting canon-like passage while they repeat, "Be warned, the monster Polyphemus!" Soon enough, Polyphemus is introduced after this and ruins everything for the poor lovers.

Chorus - Wretched Lovers! [35:50]
Recitative (Polyphemus) - I Rage! I Melt! I Burn! [41:00]
Aria (Polyphemus) - Oh Ruddier Than The Cherry! [42:39]
Recitative (Galatea, Polyphemus) - Whither Fairest Art Thou Running [46:00]
Aria (Polyphemus) - Cease To Beauty To Be Suing [47:30]
Aria (Damon) - Would You Gain The Tender Creature [51:07]
Recitative (Acis) - His Hideous Love Provokes My Rage [55:10]
Aria (Acis) - Love Sounds The Alarm [55:45]
Aria (Damon) - Consider, Fond Shepherd [58:54]
Recitative (Galatea) - Cease, Oh Cease, Thou Gentle Youth [1:02:58]
Trio (Galatea, Acis, Polyphemus) - The Flocks Shall Leave The Mountains [1:03:38]
Recitative (Acis) - Help, Galatea! [1:06:11]
Chorus - Mourn All Ye Muses [1:07:43]
Aria and Chorus (Galatea) - Must I My Acis Still Bemoan? [1:10:58]
Recitative - 'Tis Done [1:15:30]
Aria - Heart, Thou Seat Of Soft Delight [1:16:00]
Chorus - Galatea Dry Thy Tears [1:19:58]

Видео Handel - Acis and Galatea (Original 1959 Sir Adrian Boult version) - Sutherland, Pears, Brannigan канала Leland Smith