Acis and Galatea

Handel called it a “seranata,” but Acis and Galatea has also been classed variously as a masque, a bucolic poem, an oratorio, and here, a “pastoral opera.” Composed in 1718 and based on a story from Ovid's Metamorphoses, the original work lacked any stage directions and so it's been open to a variety of interpretations—none more brilliant than this mounting at the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, which fuses instrumental and vocal music with dance to tell the story of the nymph Galatea, who is enamored of the lowly shepherd Acis. The lovers' rapture is short lived after Galatea rejects the overtures of the ogre Polyphemus, who later slays Acis in a jealous rage, although Acis' subsequent transformation into an eternally flowing fountain inspires a stirring conclusion. In this 2009 staging commemorating the 250th anniversary of Handel's death, dancers from the Royal Ballet, wearing nude-colored leotards, interpret the emotions of the singers, thus turning what is essentially a concert piece into a coherent (albeit fantastic) narrative, with Danielle de Niese and Charles Workman exhibiting strong chemistry as the central romantic couple, and Matthew Rose solid as a blustering Polyphemus (Lauren Cuthbertson, Edward Watson, and Eric Underwood are their balletic interpreters). All are supported by the able baton of Christopher Hogwood leading the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Presented in DTS 5.0 and LPCM stereo on DVD and DTS-HD 5.0 and PCM stereo on the Blu-ray version, extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette, illustrated synopsis, and a cast gallery. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: C, P. (J. Reed)