Handel: Aci, Galatea e Polifemo HWV 72

Handel (Composer), Marco Vitale (Conductor), Contrasto Armonico (Orchestra), True (Performer), Mancini (Performer), Sandler (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: True, Mancini, Sandler
• Orchestra: Contrasto Armonico
• Conductor: Marco Vitale
• Composer: Handel
• Audio CD (May 13, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Brilliant Classics
• ASIN: B0016KHAT2
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,531 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Duetto. Sorge il dì

2. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Recitativo. Vanti, o cara, il ruscello

3. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Aria. Sforzano a piangere con più dolor

4. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Recitativo. E qual nuova sventura

5. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Aria. Che non può la gelosia

6. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Accompagnato. Ma qual orrido suono

7. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Recitativo. Ahi, che dall'ombre eterne

8. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Aria. Sibilar l'angui d'Aletto

9. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Recitativo. Deh lascia, o Polifemo

10. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Aria. Benché tuoni e l'etra avvampi

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Recitativo. Ingrata, se mi nieghi

2. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Aria. Fra l'ombre e gl'orrori

3. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Recitativo. Ma che? non andrà inulta

4. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Aria. Qui l'augel da pianta in pianta

5. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Recitativo. Giunsi al fin, mio tesoro

6. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Aria. Se m'ami, o caro

7. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Recitativo. Qui sull'alto del monte

8. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Terzetto. Dolce amico amplesso

9. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Recitativo. Or poiché sordi sono

10. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (Sorge il di), dramatic cantata, HWV 72: Aria. Verso già l'alma col sangue

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trouble in Arcadia Fires Handel's Musical Imagination, December 22, 2008

By 

Giordano Bruno (Wherever I am, I am.) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Handel: Aci, Galatea e Polifemo HWV 72 (Audio CD)

The shepherd Aci is in love with the sea nymph Galatea, but so is the cyclops Polifemo, the same cruel monster later to be blinded by Ulysses. Galatea flees from Polifemo into the depths of the sea. Polifemo seeks revenge by crushing Aci with a boulder. The 'Gods' feel pity for the lovers and change Aci's blood into a limpid stream that flows eternally into the sea's embrace. Such is the story, taken from Ovid, told by Handel's 'serenata' Aci, Galatea e Polifemo, commissioned for a wedding performance in Naples in 1708 and performed several times more in Italy before Handel's departure for Germany and England. This is an entirely different composition from the cantata "Acis and Galatea" that Handel composed later in England, with an English libretto. The Italian work is bolder in conception and far more virtuosic than its English pastoral counterpart.

The 'serenata' was a genre half way from cantata to opera, usually sung at outdoor entertainments of the composer's wealthy patrons, possibly in costume but not staged with scenery. Aci, Galatea e Polifemo has all the drama of any baroque opera, with more variety of affect from aria to aria than most. It features three of Handel's finest arias ever, one by each of the cast; Galatea sings "Benche tuoni..." in the first act, Polifemo sings "Fra 'ombre e gl'orrori..." at the beginning of the second act, followed immediately by Aci's "Qui l'augel ..." with its delicate bird sounds. The orchestra includes the usual strings plus the unusual violone which accompanies Polifemo, as well as oboe, recorders and trumpets -- quite a festive and expressive ensemble! If some of the arias seem familiar, there's the typical explanation; Handel liked his own work well enough to recycle much of it in later operas. On the whole, this is one of Handel's showiest operatic works, making huge demands of virtuosity on the three singers. The bass who sings Polifemo needs to cover a compass from D below the bass staff to a' in the treble, with leaps of two and a half octaves in the middle of the usual gyrations of sixteenth notes. Polifemo is in fact the key character; his singing needs to be simultaneously quite musical and yet quite "monstrous". [As a basso myself, though not much of one, I occasionally wonder why we bassi are so often the bad and the ugly in baroque vocal music. I'll have to write to my congressperson about such stereotyping, harumpf!]

Basso Mitchell Sandler brings a rich, fibrous timbre and plenty of bravado to the role of Polifemo, a perfect contrast to the sweet and agile voices of soprano Stefanie True (Aci) and alto Luciana Mancini (Galatea). Notice the oddity that the male role of Aci has the higher tessitura. All three sing with remarkably precise tuning, which pays off in the several duet passage between the women singers and in the trios that conclude each act. Oboist Diego Nadra deserves special recognition for his sprightly obbligato playing, and conductor Marco Vitale scores my highest praise for his attention to musical detail and his ability to lead his orchestra through such varied passages with a sense of overall unity.

There are several recordings of this serenata available, including a fairly recent release from conductor Emmanuelle Haim. That performance is slightly marred by the excessive vibrato that Haim seems to require of her singers, and by a weak performance of Galatea by alto Sara Mingardo. Head to head, I prefer this performance by Vitale and his Contrasto Armonico ensemble particularly because of the fine alto singing by Chilean Luciana Mancini. I'll be listening for more of her work, as well as more of Sandler's and True's.

There are two listing for this CD on amazon. Who knows why! Be advised that the prices are different.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A steal!, September 5, 2009

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classical newb - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Handel: Aci, Galatea e Polifemo HWV 72 (Audio CD)

I will not extensively review as GB did, but I will only say this: I have at least 5 full "3 CDs-opera" sets by Handel, such as Marc Minkowski's Ariodante and Julius Caesar, John Nelson's Semele, etc. Yes, I am still an initiate, but I am slowly getting there. But this "semi-opera", "Aci, Galatea e Polifemo" I do enjoy it as much as other Handel opera sets which individually costs three to fours times as much. Folks, if limited budget is your problem, do not hesitate to get this fantastic gem; like GB reviewed, the singers singing and the sound of the record are all done in perfection.

The only bad thing I would have to say is that this opera is somewhat less emotionally stirring compared to Handel's very top operas. But it does makes up by being more clear and virtuosic (think Vivaldi...sort of), as characterized by most of Handel's compositions during his stay in Italy.

Also, it isn't as challenging to "get it" as other Handel operas; which makes this an ideal purchase to those who are trying to get into Handel's opera, and again, it is very cheap! What are you waiting for? Grab it as soon as you can while the price is still low.

*Edit* I just finished listening to "Aria: "Fra l'ombre e gl'orrori" (Polifemo)", the second track of the second CD, and it has one of the most unique feeling in all Classical Music repertory. Simply one of most exquisite arias ever. The voice and the small orchestra fits perfectly. This single movement alone justifies the value of this entire record.