London Handel Festival

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759): Aci, Galatea e Polifemo HWV72

• Anna Dennis  soprano (as Aci)

• Anna Huntley  mezzo-soprano (as Galatea)

• Edward Grint  bass-baritone (as Polifemo)

• London Handel Orchestra

• Adrian Butterfield  conductor

Having staged Handel’s English version of the Acis and Galatea story in 2018, the London Handel Orchestra now presents his earlier Italian version, Aci, Galatea e Polifemo, which he wrote in Naples in June 1708 as a celebratory cantata for a wedding. This work is completely different from the 1718 version for the Duke of Chandos and is notable for the variety of Handel’s invention as well as its colourful scoring. All three roles are demanding, but the range required of the bass who sings the part of Polifemo is truly remarkable, covering two and a half octaves!