Aci, Galatea e Polifemo, HWV 72 (Reconstr. R. Pe & F. Longo)

Featuring

Raffaele Pe
Giuseppina Bridelli
Andrea Mastroni
Luca Guglielmi
La Lira di Orfeo
George Frideric Handel

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Interpretation

This recording presents a hypothetical reconstruction of a version of Aci, Galatea e Polifemo from between 1713 and 1718, based on a British Library manuscript.

Compositional Technique

Handel reworked Aci, Galatea e Polifemo more than any other piece in his repertoire, reusing its music in other works throughout his career.

Interpretation

In this recording's version, the roles of Galatea and Aci are swapped in vocal range: Galatea is a soprano and Aci is an alto, possibly due to the presence of famous singers Francesco Bernardi (Senesino) and Anna Maria Strada del Po' in 1713.

Composition History

Handel's Aci, Galatea e Polifemo was commissioned by Duchess Aurora Sanseverino for her niece Beatrice's wedding in Naples on July 26, 1708.

Compositional Technique

Handel's Aci, Galatea e Polifemo shows influences from other composers like Bernardo Pasquini and Alessandro Scarlatti, as well as Buxtehude, Reinken, Bononcini, Steffani, Keiser, Mattheson, Telemann, and Purcell.