Acis & Galatea • Dido & Aeneas Double Bill
Our first double-bill. Two love stories, two tragedies, both fighting the eternal struggle between light and darkness.
Performances on the 16th, 18th & 20th August @ 6.30pm
Location: Amphitheatre
Duration: Approx. 3h 40min Details: 18:30 start | 1h30min picnic intermission | 22:10 finish Age Guidance Rating 13+: Production includes some violence and weaponry |
The festival's 1st double-bill makes its home in Waterperry’s stunning Amphitheatre.
Acis and Galatea. The ethereal nymph, Galatea, is in love with a youthful shepherd, Acis. All seems serene, until their love is threatened by the jealousy of the monstrous Polyphemus. Directed by Rebecca Meltzer (Svadba, Hansel and Gretel, Ariel, Mansfield Park) this new production celebrates the beauty of Handel’s music coupled with Waterperry’s natural spaces. Dido and Aeneas. Tribal Queen Dido struggles to keep power in her court as Prince Aeneas comes to ask for her hand in marriage and an alliance between factions. Treachery and sedition threaten to tear a nation and a marriage asunder. Directed by Guy Withers (Peter and the Wolf, The Diary of One Who Disappeared), this beloved English operatic gem takes a dark turn in a bold new production. Michael Papadopoulos conducts these two contrasting productions alongside Designer Jennifer Gregory. Both operas will be performed by the same ensemble cast consisting of the UK’s most outstanding emerging operatic talent, audiences will most definitely be entertained. |
Acis and Galatea: Composed by George Frideric Handel | Libretto by John Gay
Dido and Aeneas: Composed by Henry Purcell | Libretto by Nahum Tate |
Tickets
The box office is now open. Click on a button below to start booking.
Please note: the Amphitheatre is raked seating made of concrete, with steep steps leading to the stage.
Seat cushions will be provided, and you are welcome to bring your own cushions for extra comfort. There is no back support for the majority of seats. For full site accessibility information please visit this page.
Seat cushions will be provided, and you are welcome to bring your own cushions for extra comfort. There is no back support for the majority of seats. For full site accessibility information please visit this page.
Trailer
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Synopsis Acis & Galatea
Acis and Galatea is a pastoral opera in two acts composed by George Frideric Handel, with an English libretto by John Gay. The opera is based on the ancient Greek myth of the love between the sea nymph Galatea and the shepherd Acis, and their tragic end.
In Act I, Galatea and Acis sing of their love for each other, but are interrupted by the arrival of the domineering and menacing Polyphemus, who intends to woo Galatea. Polyphemus declares his love for Galatea, but she rejects him, wounding his pride.
In Act II, Polyphemus, in a fit of jealousy, strikes Acis down, fatally wounding the young shepherd. Galatea, heartbroken, uses her powers to transform Acis into a stream, so that he can live on forever. She then summons the other sea nymphs to sing a lament for Acis.
The opera is renowned for its lyrical music, particularly the beautiful duets between Acis and Galatea, as well as the show-stopping aria "O ruddier than the cherry," sung by Polyphemus. It is a beloved classic of the Baroque era, and has been frequently performed and adapted in the centuries since its premiere in 1718.
In Act I, Galatea and Acis sing of their love for each other, but are interrupted by the arrival of the domineering and menacing Polyphemus, who intends to woo Galatea. Polyphemus declares his love for Galatea, but she rejects him, wounding his pride.
In Act II, Polyphemus, in a fit of jealousy, strikes Acis down, fatally wounding the young shepherd. Galatea, heartbroken, uses her powers to transform Acis into a stream, so that he can live on forever. She then summons the other sea nymphs to sing a lament for Acis.
The opera is renowned for its lyrical music, particularly the beautiful duets between Acis and Galatea, as well as the show-stopping aria "O ruddier than the cherry," sung by Polyphemus. It is a beloved classic of the Baroque era, and has been frequently performed and adapted in the centuries since its premiere in 1718.
Synopsis Dido & Aeneas
Dido and Aeneas is a tragic opera in three acts by English composer Henry Purcell, with a libretto by Nahum Tate. The opera tells the story of the legendary Queen of Carthage, Dido, and the Trojan hero Aeneas, as they fall in love, only to be separated by cruel fate.
In Act I, Dido welcomes Aeneas and his crew to Carthage, and the two quickly fall in love. However, an evil sorceress, intent on revenge against Aeneas for spurning her advances, conjures up a plot to separate the two lovers.
In Act II, the sorceress, disguised as Mercury, appears to Aeneas and convinces him to abandon Dido and his duties in Carthage in order to found Rome.
In the final Act, Dido, heartbroken and betrayed, decides to end her own life, while Aeneas, haunted by his love for her, leaves to fulfill his destiny as the founder of Rome.
The opera is famous for its beautiful music, particularly the haunting aria "When I am laid in earth," in which Dido laments her fate. It has been a beloved classic of the operatic repertoire since its premiere in the late 17th century.
In Act I, Dido welcomes Aeneas and his crew to Carthage, and the two quickly fall in love. However, an evil sorceress, intent on revenge against Aeneas for spurning her advances, conjures up a plot to separate the two lovers.
In Act II, the sorceress, disguised as Mercury, appears to Aeneas and convinces him to abandon Dido and his duties in Carthage in order to found Rome.
In the final Act, Dido, heartbroken and betrayed, decides to end her own life, while Aeneas, haunted by his love for her, leaves to fulfill his destiny as the founder of Rome.
The opera is famous for its beautiful music, particularly the haunting aria "When I am laid in earth," in which Dido laments her fate. It has been a beloved classic of the operatic repertoire since its premiere in the late 17th century.