Immerse yourself in the peace of the pastoral with Handel’s most popular dramatic work Acis and Galatea. The beginning of Opera Atelier’s landmark 40th season, this stunning production is a joyous delight for all ages. Helmed by Oper Atelier’s Co-Artistic Director’s Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, Acis and Galatea is a mythological, romantic epic with a delightfully funny spirit.

Acis and Galatea is originally recorded in Ovid’s “Metamorphosis,” and tells the story of the water nymph Galatea who is in love with a shepherd named Acis who roams though the mountains where she lives. The two are madly in love, however Polyphemus (a monstrous cyclops) also loves Galatea and wants her for himself. All the while, a mountain spirit called Damon stirs up the hatred between the two suitors, eventually leading them to fight one another. Unfortunately, Polyphemus buries Acis under a giant boulder. In her mourning, Galatea uses her powers to transform her love into a flowing river, so that he can spend the rest of eternity flowing through the mountains he loves.

There are several aspects of Acis and Galatea which make it perfect for younger opera-goers! The opera itself is in English, so while there are still surtitles for the performance, they’re not essential to understanding what’s being said. Opera Atelier has also put together another visual guide to the show for younger audience members which has a detailed plot along with pictures which depict what the performers are actually wearing in the show. So if your youngling is more of a visual learner, they’ve got that covered too! Most of all is the comedic relief in this production; the mountain spirit Damon and especially Polyphemus in the second act provide plenty of laughs.

Antonin Rondepierre and Meghan Lindsay star as the titular Acis and Galatea. The chemistry between the two of them is palpable; at times it’s very cute a lovey-dovey, and then spicy and sensual in others (nothing more than a PG rating though, I promise). Their voices soar through the Elgin Theatre with their beautiful love songs. Blaise Rantoanina is a mischievous and feisty Damon, with a likewise stunning tenor voice. Douglas Williams brings the comedy (and also tragedy) to Act II with his portrayal of Polyphemus. The dichotomy of his swagger and love-sickness make him an instant audience favourite.

As always, the main vocalists are joined on stage by the wildly talented dancers of the Opera Atelier Ballet. In Acis and Galatea, they embody the happy inhabitants of the mountains who, like Acis, delight in the bounty of the natural world around them. At times, they also perform as birds, with feathered headdresses and beautiful wing-like movements. The instantaneous joy they bring to this production is unmatched.

The Nathaniel Dett Chorale add their voices to the production and act as a sort of Chorus. Not only do they help narrate the story, but they also provide commentary and advice to the characters throughout. Having them occupy the boxes is fabulous: their voices carry beautifully throughout the theatre and the audience is able to admire their work as they sing.

As always, the Tafelmusik orchestra exquisitely plays the music for the piece. I particularly enjoyed the harpsichord in this piece, as it immediately alerts the ear to the period in which the opera was written. It’s also so wonderful that they don’t fully sit down in the pit, rather they’re more towards the stage, likewise allowing the audience to admire their artistry in real time. I witnessed several young audience members going up to the pit to speak to the musicians during the intermission, and it looked like everyone was having a great deal of fun!

Gerard Gauci’s set and costume design for Acis and Galatea is magical. Leaning into the mythological aspect of the story, the scrim and backdrop reminded me of the opening of “Beauty and the Beast.” The moving portions of the set are mesmerizing and bring a whole other level of life to the story. Galatea’s flowing gown is enviously beautiful, and the turquoise and blues are a consistent reminder that this is a being of the water.

Attending an Opera Atelier performance is always a treat; the opulence of the staging, the beautiful stories, and the immense talent on display makes it a totally unique event. Acis and Galatea is no exception to this, and it’s a very fitting start to what’s sure to be a banner season for the company.

Acis and Galatea runs until October 27th. For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.operaatelier.com/shows/acis-and-galatea/

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Cover Photo: Soprano Meghan Lindsay as Galatea and tenor Antonin Rondepierre as
Acis in Opera Atelier’s production of Handel’s Acis and Galatea. Photo by Bruce Zinger

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