Acis and Galatea

Handel's Acis and Galatea was among the composer's most popular works in the 1700s. Today it is heard mostly in bits, perhaps because the piece is about as pastoral as they come, and it is harder now to care much about nymphs and shepherds frolicking in pastures green. Yet in this new production by Transition, the simple tale of nymph meets shepherd, jealous Cyclops kills shepherd, nymph transforms shepherd into stream, comes over as bold and lively, contemporary and profoundly moving.