On Tuesday, April 14th, the Madrigal Ensemble, under the direction of Distinguished Professor of Music Dr. Julianne Baird, will perform a free concert of George Frideric Handel’s opera, Acis and Galatea. The concert begins at 12:15 p.m. in the Walter K. Gordon Theater.
Acis and Galatea tells the story a twisted love triangle between a goddess, a shepherd, and a one-eyed monster. And you thought your love life was complicated! Charming and deceptively sweet, this English pastorale tells the story of the Goddess Galatea who is in love with Acis, a mortal, and what happens when a monster-demigod gets jealous. This fetching music ensured that it was George Frideric Handel’s biggest hit during his lifetime.
The concert will run approximately one hour and will feature a Baroque orchestra drawn from some of Philadelphia’s best players. It also features brilliant professional singers who will perform with the Rutgers–Camden Madrigal Ensemble. Aédin Larkin, “The Irish Soprano,” plays the role of the goddess Galatea opposite Jason Rylander of the Washington Bach Consort as Acis. Tim Stopper of Opera Philadelphia will play the one-eyed monster Polyphemus, and Janna Critz of the Peabody Conservatory will play Damon, “the comforting shepherd.”
This stunning pastorale uses beautiful melodies that are sure to take the audience on an emotional journey from bliss to sadness and back again. Professor Baird and the student Madrigal Ensemble will provide musical commentary throughout the concert, leading the listener from happiness to sadness – metamorphosis to serenity.
This event is sponsored by the Department of Fine Arts.