Hyperion CDA66361/2
Recorded at Rosslyn Hill Chapel, London, on 10, 11, 12, 13 July 1989
www.hyperion-records.co.uk
Handel: Acis and Galatea & Look down, harmonious saint
The King's Consort - Robert King
Contents:
| CD 1 | ||
| Acis and Galatea Part One | ||
| 1. | Sinfonia | [3:13] |
| 2. | Chorus: Oh, the pleasure of the plains! | [5:48] |
| 3. | Accompagnato - Galatea: Ye verdant plains and woody mountains | [0:48] |
| 4. | Air - Galatea: Hush, ye pretty warbling quire! | [6:04] |
| 5. | Air - Acis: Where shall I seek the charming fair? | [3:18] |
| 6. | Recitative - Damon: Stay, shepherd, stay! | [0:22] |
| 7. | Air - Damon: Shepherd, what art thou pursuing? | [4:42] |
| 8. | Recitative - Acis: Lo! here my love | [0:24] |
| 9. | Air - Acis: Love in her eyes sits playing | [7:48] |
| 10. | Recitative - Galatea: Oh! didst thou know the pains of absent love | [0:18] |
| 11. | Air - Galatea: As when the dove | [6:28] |
| 12. | Duet - Galatea / Acis: Happy we! | [2:46] |
| CD 2 | ||
| Part Two | ||
| 1. | Chorus: Wretched lovers! | [3:56] |
| 2. | Accompagnato - Polyphemus: I rage, I melt, I burn! | [1:14] |
| 3. | Air - Polyphemus: O ruddier than cherry | [3:11] |
| 4. | Recitatice - Polyphemus: Whither, fairest, art thou running | [0:56] |
| 5. | Air - Polyphemus: Cease to beauty to be suing | [5:32] |
| 6. | Air - Damon: Would you gain the tender creature | [5:49] |
| 7. | Recitative - Acis: His hideous love provokes my rage | [0:21] |
| 8. | Air - Acis: Love sounds th' alarm | [5:00] |
| 9. | Air - Damon: Consider, fond shepherd | [6:21] |
| 10. | Recitative - Galatea: Cease, O cease, thou gentle youth | [0:26] |
| 11. | Trio - Galatea / Acis: The flocks shall leave the mountains | [2:30] |
| 12. | Accompagnato - Acis: Help, Galatea! Help, ye parent gods! | [1:08] |
| 13. | Chorus: Mourn, all ye muses! | [3:05] |
| 14. | Chorus - Galatea: Must I my Acis still bemoan | [4:11] |
| 15. | Recitative - Galatea: 'Tis done: thus I exert my pow'r divine | [0:25] |
| 16. | Air - Galatea: Heart, the seat of soft delight | [4:02] |
| 17. | Chorus: Galatea, dry thy tears | [3:15] |
| 18. | Look down, harmonious saint | [11:56] |
Performers:
Galatea CLARON McFADDEN soprano
Acis JOHN MARK AINSLEY tenor
Damon ROGERS COVEY-CRUMP tenor
Polyphemus MICHAEL GEORGE bass
Chorus ROBERT HARRE-JONES alto
THE KING'S CONSORT
ROBERT KING director
Reviews:
'An unfailingly delightful work, beautifully performed and recorded' (Gramophone)
'Une des plus délicieuses partitions du XVIII Siècle' (L'Avant Scene Opera, France)
'A first-class Handel release' (American Record Guide)
'McFadden is a loving Galatea, Ainsley a charming Acis, and Covey-Crump a finely polished Damon. Michael George is magnificent - a nimble but ferocious Polyphemus whose every note is absolutely centred' (BBC Music Magazine Top 1000 CDs Guide)