I think there may already be a thread for this but I've searched without success. Anyway this is my review.
Acis and Galatea; a pastoral by G F Handel
Iford Festival July/August 2013
Christian Curnyn
Early Opera Company
Acis: Benjamin Hulett
Galatea: Mary Bevan
Damon: Christopher Turner
Polyphemus: Lukas Jakobski
Director: Pia Furtado
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Each summer Iford Arts presents music and opera in the cloister at Iford Manor. This small Italianate cloister seats less than 100 and you're so close to the singers you almost feel part of the show. In fact towards the end, the chorus moves amongst the audience and you are part of the show.
The audience is seated in two rows on the four parts of a square behind a low wall with the performance area in the centre. The small orchestra takes up a section behind the wall.
Just a few personal thoughts. There's a good review here.
Mary Bevan was perfectly cast as Galatea. Vulnerable and waif-like but courageous in her initial defiance of Polyphemus, her lustrous soprano bringing out all of the emotions.
'Gentle Acis' was beautifully and sensitively sung by Ben Hulett. His love for Galatea was palpable but you could feel his helplessness, he knew he was doomed. This was the first time I'd heard Ben sing and I'll definitely seek him out in future. He is making his debut as Edmondo in Manon Lescaut at ROH next June.
Christopher Turner's Damon was 'on stage' most of the time as a sort of master of ceremonies. In fact he appears before the audience is seated, prowling around and checking things are in order. Charismatic and his face a mask of glitter, his presence was intriguing. I loved all his three arias with my favourite being Would you gain the tender creature,
Was Polyphemus (Lukas Jakobski) drunk or just audacious? Hard to tell as he swaggered in and with a powerful and resonant I rage, I melt, I burn intimidated the nymphs and swains and poor Acis. Only Galatea is left on stage & she stands trembling and vulnerable in the corner of the set. As Polyphemus makes his feelings and intentions clear, she endeavours to escape his lustful clutches but to no avail and he victoriously (symbolically) tears her clothes off, unwrapping her like a parcel.
His seduction of Galatea is at first brutal and he sings a spine tingling Cease to beauty as he laces her tightly into a corset and forces her to the floor; his domination complete. He drags her to his lair and despite (because of?) his "insistence" she is unresponsive and virtually catatonic. Then at Damon's advice "Would you gain the tender creature …" he becomes gentle and persuasive. It was mesmerising and riveting and Mary Bevan and Lukas Jakobski produced some of the finest acting I've ever seen.
Finally and reluctantly Galatea is won over and as she and Polyphemus leave together, he gloats at Acis' despair. Suddenly Galatea changes her mind & returns to Acis' side. The flocks shall leave the mountains,
At the loss of his prize Polyphemus' rage is terrifying. Torture! fury! rage! despair! is sung while he rampages around the small arena, tearing down ivy and hurling not only (polystyrene) bricks about but the odd nymph and swain as well. But then as he delivers the final blow and poor 'presumptuous Acis' dies, his rage seems spent.
When Galatea realises that her sweet Acis is dead, she lets out a scream and mad with grief, she rushes Polyphemus and pummels his chest until Damon intervenes. You have to feel for Polyphemus; he stands there bewildered and distraught, and just takes the punishment.
[Admin note: images and text, as well as the next post by same OP, were removed per the request of the OP]
Acis and Galatea; a pastoral by G F Handel
Iford Festival July/August 2013
Christian Curnyn
Early Opera Company
Acis: Benjamin Hulett
Galatea: Mary Bevan
Damon: Christopher Turner
Polyphemus: Lukas Jakobski
Director: Pia Furtado
----------------------------------
Each summer Iford Arts presents music and opera in the cloister at Iford Manor. This small Italianate cloister seats less than 100 and you're so close to the singers you almost feel part of the show. In fact towards the end, the chorus moves amongst the audience and you are part of the show.
The audience is seated in two rows on the four parts of a square behind a low wall with the performance area in the centre. The small orchestra takes up a section behind the wall.
Just a few personal thoughts. There's a good review here.
Mary Bevan was perfectly cast as Galatea. Vulnerable and waif-like but courageous in her initial defiance of Polyphemus, her lustrous soprano bringing out all of the emotions.
'Gentle Acis' was beautifully and sensitively sung by Ben Hulett. His love for Galatea was palpable but you could feel his helplessness, he knew he was doomed. This was the first time I'd heard Ben sing and I'll definitely seek him out in future. He is making his debut as Edmondo in Manon Lescaut at ROH next June.
Christopher Turner's Damon was 'on stage' most of the time as a sort of master of ceremonies. In fact he appears before the audience is seated, prowling around and checking things are in order. Charismatic and his face a mask of glitter, his presence was intriguing. I loved all his three arias with my favourite being Would you gain the tender creature,
Was Polyphemus (Lukas Jakobski) drunk or just audacious? Hard to tell as he swaggered in and with a powerful and resonant I rage, I melt, I burn intimidated the nymphs and swains and poor Acis. Only Galatea is left on stage & she stands trembling and vulnerable in the corner of the set. As Polyphemus makes his feelings and intentions clear, she endeavours to escape his lustful clutches but to no avail and he victoriously (symbolically) tears her clothes off, unwrapping her like a parcel.
His seduction of Galatea is at first brutal and he sings a spine tingling Cease to beauty as he laces her tightly into a corset and forces her to the floor; his domination complete. He drags her to his lair and despite (because of?) his "insistence" she is unresponsive and virtually catatonic. Then at Damon's advice "Would you gain the tender creature …" he becomes gentle and persuasive. It was mesmerising and riveting and Mary Bevan and Lukas Jakobski produced some of the finest acting I've ever seen.
Finally and reluctantly Galatea is won over and as she and Polyphemus leave together, he gloats at Acis' despair. Suddenly Galatea changes her mind & returns to Acis' side. The flocks shall leave the mountains,
At the loss of his prize Polyphemus' rage is terrifying. Torture! fury! rage! despair! is sung while he rampages around the small arena, tearing down ivy and hurling not only (polystyrene) bricks about but the odd nymph and swain as well. But then as he delivers the final blow and poor 'presumptuous Acis' dies, his rage seems spent.
When Galatea realises that her sweet Acis is dead, she lets out a scream and mad with grief, she rushes Polyphemus and pummels his chest until Damon intervenes. You have to feel for Polyphemus; he stands there bewildered and distraught, and just takes the punishment.
[Admin note: images and text, as well as the next post by same OP, were removed per the request of the OP]