Acis and Galatea by Handel – The Royal Opera & The Royal Ballet (Blu-ray)

UPC: 0809478070566

Product Features

• Title: Acis and Galatea by George Frideric Handel
• Conductor: Christopher Hogwood
• Orchestra: Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
• Director & Choreographer: Wayne McGregor
• Running Time: 185 minutes
• Picture Format: 1080p High Definition, 16:9
• Audio Formats:Subtitles: English, French, German, Spanish
  • LPCM 2.0 Stereo
  • DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
• Region Code: All regions
• Publisher: Opus Arte

Overview

Handel's Acis and Galatea, a pastoral opera, gets a visually stunning and emotionally charged production by The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet. Directed and choreographed by Wayne McGregor, this 2009 performance showcases a rare collaboration between opera singers and ballet dancers, combining Handel's beautiful music with contemporary dance elements.

This production features the talents of Danielle de Niese as Galatea and Charles Workman as Acis, with Lauren Cuthbertson and Edward Watson providing dance interpretations of the characters. The cast also includes Matthew Rose as Polyphemus and Paul Agnew as Damon. The orchestra is conducted by the esteemed Christopher Hogwood, leading the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment to evoke the rich textures of Handel’s score.

The high-definition recording and surround sound capture every detail of the music and choreography, offering an immersive experience for home viewers. This Blu-ray includes extra features like an illustrated synopsis, a cast gallery, and behind-the-scenes footage, giving further insight into this groundbreaking production.

Cast

• Galatea (sung): Danielle de Niese
• Galatea (danced): Lauren Cuthbertson
• Acis (sung): Charles Workman
• Acis (danced): Edward Watson
• Polyphemus: Matthew Rose
• Damon: Paul Agnew
• Coridon: Ji-Min Park
• Dancers: Steven McRae, Melissa Hamilton, Eric Underwood, Paul Kay

Interesting Facts

• Wayne McGregor’s choreography blends the baroque setting of Handel’s opera with modern, expressive movements, creating a unique fusion of music and dance.
• Danielle de Niese, one of the most acclaimed sopranos of her generation, brings a vibrant presence to her role as Galatea, both vocally and dramatically.
• The collaboration between the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet makes this production a one-of-a-kind spectacle, showcasing the talents of both singers and dancers in a seamless narrative.
• Christopher Hogwood, a specialist in baroque music, conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, a leading ensemble known for its historically informed performances.
• Filmed in High Definition and recorded in surround sound, this Blu-ray release brings the grandeur of the live performance to home audiences with impeccable clarity.

Track Listing

1. Acis and Galatea – Complete Opera

Bonus Features

• Illustrated synopsis
• Cast gallery
• Staging Acis and Galatea – A behind-the-scenes featurette

Publishers

• Opus Arte
• Royal Opera House

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