Aci, Galatea e Polifemo
Encyclopedia
Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (HWV 72) is a dramatic cantata
—also called a serenata—by George Frederic Handel. It was first performed at Naples
on 19 July 1708; the completed score is dated to 16 June 1708. The serenata was commissioned most probably by Donna Aurora Sanseverino, Duchess of Laurenzano.
It is likely that the work was composed for the wedding festivities of the Duke of Alvito, Tolomeo Saverio Gallo, and Beatrice Tocco di Montemiletto, Princess of Acaja and niece of Aurora Sanseverino.
The Italian
libretto
was written by Nicola Giuvo, private secretary and literature adviser of Duchess Sanseverino.
The plot is virtually the same as in Handel's later English-language pastoral opera Acis and Galatea, but Handel drew little on the music of the cantata when he returned to the story in 1718.
The role of Polifemo (Polyphemus
), a cyclops
whose actions have lethal consequences for Aci (Acis
), is particularly notable for the vast range and singular vocal agility required. The part ranges from the D below the bass stave to the A above it - and that in one aria, "Fra l'ombre e gl'orrori".
, Leipzig 1892)
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
—also called a serenata—by George Frederic Handel. It was first performed at Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
on 19 July 1708; the completed score is dated to 16 June 1708. The serenata was commissioned most probably by Donna Aurora Sanseverino, Duchess of Laurenzano.
It is likely that the work was composed for the wedding festivities of the Duke of Alvito, Tolomeo Saverio Gallo, and Beatrice Tocco di Montemiletto, Princess of Acaja and niece of Aurora Sanseverino.
The Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
was written by Nicola Giuvo, private secretary and literature adviser of Duchess Sanseverino.
The plot is virtually the same as in Handel's later English-language pastoral opera Acis and Galatea, but Handel drew little on the music of the cantata when he returned to the story in 1718.
The role of Polifemo (Polyphemus
Polyphemus
Polyphemus is the gigantic one-eyed son of Poseidon and Thoosa in Greek mythology, one of the Cyclopes. His name means "much spoken of" or "famous". Polyphemus plays a pivotal role in Homer's Odyssey.-In Homer's Odyssey:...
), a cyclops
Cyclops
A cyclops , in Greek mythology and later Roman mythology, was a member of a primordial race of giants, each with a single eye in the middle of his forehead...
whose actions have lethal consequences for Aci (Acis
ACIS
The 3D ACIS Modeler is a 3D modelling kernel owned by Spatial Corporation . ACIS is used by many software developers in industries such as computer-aided design , Computer-aided manufacturing , Computer-aided engineering , Architecture, engineering and construction , Coordinate-measuring machine...
), is particularly notable for the vast range and singular vocal agility required. The part ranges from the D below the bass stave to the A above it - and that in one aria, "Fra l'ombre e gl'orrori".
E-book
Score of Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (ed. Friedrich ChrysanderFriedrich Chrysander
Karl Franz Friedrich Chrysander was a German music historian and critic, whose edition of the works of George Frideric Handel and authoritative writings on many other composers established him as a pioneer of 19th-century musicology.Born at Lübtheen, in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Chrysander was the son...
, Leipzig 1892)