Handel: Acis & Galatea LES BORÉADES Eric Milnes GALATEA - Suzie LeBlanc, SOPRANO ACIS - Mark Bleeke, TÉNOR | TENOR DAMON - Marc Molmot, TÉNOR | TENOR POLYPHEMUS - Nathaniel Watson, BARYTON | BARITONE ACD2 2302 From his great oratorios we know Handel as a master of epic grandeur and dramtic majesty. The pastoral masque Acis and Galatea (1718) shows another side to the composer, one of transparent lightness, refined sensuality, and tenderness.   Yet whatever the means he employs to his ends, we are ever awed and elated by the unshakable generosity of this great European musician. A brilliant cast of singers and the award-winning Boréades ensemble team up in this fresh look at an early Handel masterwork. CD1: Acte I | Act I 1   Sinfonia (presto)     3:18 2   Oh, the pleasures of the plain (CHŒUR | CHORUS)     5:53 3   Ye verdant plains (GALATEA : RÉCITATIF ACCOMPAGNÉ | ACCOMPAGNATO)     0:44 4   Hush, ye pretty warbling quire (GALATEA : AIR)     5:56 5   Where shall I seek the charming fair (ACIS : AIR)     3:09 6   Stay, shepherd, stay (DAMON : RÉCITATIF | RECITATIVE)     0:19 7   Shepherd, what art thou pursuing (DAMON : AIR)     4:16 8   Lo! here mr love (Acis : RÉCITATIF | RECITATIVE)     0:25 9   Love in her eyes sits playing (ACIS : AIR)     6:53 10 Oh! didst thou know the pains of absent love (GALATEA : RÉCITATIF | RECITATIVE)     0:07 11 As when the dove (GALATEA : AIR)     6:22 12 Happy we! (ACIS & GALATEA : DUO | DUET)     2:34 13 Happy we! (CHŒUR | CHORUS)     0:44       40:40 CD2: Acte II | Act II 1   Wretched lovers (CHŒUR | CHORUS)     4:30 2   I rage! (POLYPHEMUS : RÉCITATIF ACCOMPAGNI | ACCOMPAGNATO)     1:21 3   0 ruddier than the cherry (POLYPHEMUS : AIR)     3:08 4   Whither, fairest, art thou running (POLYPHEMUS & GALATEA : RÉCITATIF | RECITATIVE)     1:06 5   Cease to beauty to be suing (POLYPHEMUS : AIR)     5:04 6   Would you gain the tender creature (DAMON : AIR)     5:57 7   His hideous love (ACISD : RÉCITATIF | RECITATIVE)     0:27 8   Love sounds th'alarm (ACIS : AIR)     4:37 9   Consider, fond shepherd (DAMON : AIR)     7:15 10 Cease, oh cease, thou gentle youth (GALATEA : RÉCITATIF | RECITATIVE)     0:26 11 The flocks shall leave (GALATEA, ACIS & POLYPHEMUS : TRIO)     2:32 12 Help, Galatea (ACIS : RÉCITATIF ACCOMPAGNI | ACCOMPAGNATO)     1:00 13 Mourn, all ye muses (CHŒUR | CHORUS)     4:02 14 Must I my Acis still bemoan (GALATEA : AIR & CHŒUR | CHORUS)     4:30 15 Tis done (GALATEA : RÉCITATIF | RECITATIVE)     0:21 16 Heart, the scat of soft delight (GALATEA : AIR)     4:11 17 Galatea, dry thy tears (CHŒUR | CHORUS)     2:32       52:59 ATMA Classique is distributed in Australia by Rockian Trading PO Box 44, Briar Hill, Vic, 3088, Australia Telephone +61 (0)3 9432 4149 ~ Facsimile +61 (0)3 9444 6879