Most early music lovers are familiar with Handel’s English pastoral opera, Acis and Galatea. But have you heard the 1708 Italian serenata, Aci, Galatea, e Polifemo?
Handel’s Aci, Galatea, e Polifemo features daring, experimental sound colors from early in Handel’s output, and extraordinary vocal writing for bass-baritone, pants-role soprano, and mezzo-soprano. This is your chance to experience a rarely performed work, fully-staged with period orchestra!
Black Box Baroque and Albany Consort present Aci, Galatea, e Polifemo as part of our “Mainly Handel Festival,” on May 21-31, 2017. There are four performances of the serenata: May 21 (Berkeley), May 24 (Palo Alto), May 27 (San Jose), and May 28 (Los Altos). We continue in our signature style: staged Baroque opera with an updated setting, focusing on character and storyline within the framework of Handel’s masterful music.
Black Box Baroque was founded in 2013 by Sara Hagenbuch, and Aci is their fourth production. They are partnering with the Albany Consort, now in their 42nd year of music-making, as the orchestra. Harpsichordist Jonathan Salzedo will lead an exciting young cast of singers: Sara Hagenbuch (Aci), Ellen Presley (Galatea), and Ben Brady (Polifemo).
Performances will take place at four different Bay Area venues. For tickets and more information, visit www.blackboxbaroque.com or http://www.albanyconsort.org.
