The award-winning Early Opera Company under the direction of founder Christian Curnyn celebrates the 300th anniversary of the premiere of one of Handel's most sublime creations: Acis and Galatea. This unique interpretation is performed as Handel himself specified in the manuscript: supported by fourteen period instruments, the outstanding cast of singers takes on the solo parts as well as the magnificent choruses. This is Handel writing at his highest levels of intimacy and intensity; the music superbly supports the libretto's evocative portrayal of the story, simultaneously restrained, economical, and deeply moving. It is exquisite music, and has been the Early Opera Company's most frequently requested and played performance over the last few years. With the addition of Baroque experts Lucy Crowe and Benjamin Hulett, previously featured on the award-winning Chandos recording of Serse, this album in surround sound is not only an extraordinary achievement for the company but a must-have for all early music lovers.

Tracklist:

Overture - Early Opera Company
Oh the Pleasure of the Plains!
Ye Verdant Plains - Hush, Hush, Ye Pretty Warbling Quire
Where Shall I Seek the Charming Fair?
Stay, Shepherd, Stay - Shepherd, What Art Thou Pursuing
Lo! Here My Love - Love in Her Eyes Sits Playing
Oh! Didst Thou Know the Pains of Absent Love - As When the Dove Laments Her Love
Happy We
Happy We (Chorus) 1
Wretched Lovers 1
I Rage, I Melt, I Burn 1
O Ruddier Than the Cherry 1
Whither, Fairest, Art Thou Running 1
Cease to Beauty to Be Suing 1
Would You Gain the Tender Creature? 1
His Hideous Love Provokes My Rage - Love Sounds Th'alarm 1
Consider, Fond Shepherd 1
Cease, Oh Cease, Thou Gentle Youth 1
The Flocks Shall Leave the Mountains 2
Help, Galatea! 2
Mourn, All Ye Muses 2
Must I My Acis Still Bemoan 2
Tis Done, Thus I Exert My Pow'r Divine - Heart, the Seat of Soft Delight 2
Galatea, Dry Thy Tears
Acis & Galatea, Hwv 49a, Act II: No. 10, Wretched Lovers! Fate Has Past
Acis & Galatea, Hwv 49a, Act II: No. 11, I Rage, I Melt, I Burn!
Acis & Galatea, Hwv 49a, Act II: No. 12, O Ruddier Than The Cherry
Acis & Galatea, Hwv 49a, Act II: No. 13, Whither, Fairest, Art Thou Running
Acis & Galatea, Hwv 49a, Act II: No. 14, Cease To Beauty To Be Suing
Acis & Galatea, Hwv 49a, Act II: No. 15, Would You Gain The Tender Creature
Acis & Galatea, Hwv 49a, Act II: No. 16a, His Hideous Love Provokes My Rage
Acis & Galatea, Hwv 49a, Act II: No. 16b, Love Sounds Th' Alarm
Acis & Galatea, Hwv 49a, Act II: No. 17, Consider, Fond Shepherd
Acis & Galatea, Hwv 49a, Act II: No. 18, Cease, Oh Cease, Thou Gentle Youth
Acis & Galatea, Hwv 49a, Act II: No. 19, The Flocks Shall Leave The Mountains
Acis & Galatea, Hwv 49a, Act II: No. 20, Help, Galatea! Help, Ye Parent Gods!
Acis & Galatea, Hwv 49a, Act II: No. 21, Mourn, All Ye Muses! Weep, All Ye Swains!
Acis & Galatea, Hwv 49a, Act II: No. 22, Must I My Acis Still Bemoan
Acis & Galatea, Hwv 49a, Act II: No. 23a, 'tis Done! Thus I Exert My Pow'r Divine
Acis & Galatea, Hwv 49a, Act II: No. 23b, Heart, The Seat Of Soft Delight
Acis & Galatea, Hwv 49a, Act II: No. 24, Galatea, Dry Thy Tears

UPC: 095115040423
Label: Chandos
Release Date: 6.1.18
Format: CD

Handel / Crowe / Curnyn - Acis & Galatea (2 CD)