Italian cantata Aci, Galatea e Polifemo by George Frideric Handel

E644588

The Italian cantata *Aci, Galatea e Polifemo* by George Frideric Handel is a dramatic secular vocal work composed in 1708 that retells the mythological love story of Acis and Galatea threatened by the cyclops Polyphemus, showcasing Handel’s early mastery of expressive arias and vivid characterisation.

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Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form Occurrences
Aci, Galatea e Polifemo 0

Statements (46)

Predicate Object
instanceOf dramatic cantata
secular vocal work
serenata
basedOn myth of Acis and Galatea NERFINISHED
catalogueNumber HWV 72
commissionedBy Duke of Alvito NERFINISHED
composer George Frideric Handel NERFINISHED
compositionYear 1708
countryOfOrigin Italy
dramaticType serenata in concerto style
featuresCharacter Aci NERFINISHED
Galatea NERFINISHED
Polifemo NERFINISHED
featuresVoiceType alto
bass
soprano
firstPerformanceYear 1708
genre cantata
serenata
hasForm sequence of recitatives and arias
hasMythologicalSource Ovid’s Metamorphoses NERFINISHED
historicalContext composed during Handel’s Italian sojourn
influencedBy Italian opera tradition
language Italian
librettoLanguage Italian
narrativeConflict love of Aci and Galatea threatened by Polifemo
narrativeTheme mythological love story
notableAriaFor Polifemo (bass) NERFINISHED
notableFeature expressive arias
vivid characterisation
occasion wedding celebrations of the Duke of Alvito
orchestration Baroque orchestra
period Baroque
placeInCareer early work of Handel
placeOfFirstPerformance Naples NERFINISHED
premiereCity Naples NERFINISHED
relatedWorkByComposer Acis and Galatea (HWV 49) NERFINISHED
setting Sicily NERFINISHED
sharesSubjectWith Handel’s Acis and Galatea (English pastoral work) NERFINISHED
shows Handel’s early mastery of dramatic writing
structure three-part serenata
style Italian Baroque NERFINISHED
subject unrequited love and jealousy
textType secular
vocalForces solo voices and orchestra
workTitleInEnglish Acis, Galatea and Polyphemus NERFINISHED

Referenced by (1)

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collaboration with George Frideric Handel relatedWork Italian cantata Aci, Galatea e Polifemo by George Frideric Handel