Nicolas Poussin - Acis et Galatée, 1627-1628

Description

The pastorale Acis and Galatea is one of Handel’s finest works. Indeed, it is one of the most delightful works in the whole musical repertory, a shepherds’ pastorale set in Arcadia (called ‘masque’ or ‘shepherds’ opera’ in contemporary sources) which is situated midway between concert piece and opera, like its closest French equivalent, Charpentier’s Pastorale de Noël, an earlier composition dealing with a biblical subject.

The libretto, taken from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, tells of the love of the shepherd Acis and the nymph Galatea, which is thwarted by the Cyclops Polyphemus. The pastoral charm and depiction of pure happiness of the first part turn into a touching portrait of grief at the death of Acis – which does not exclude contrasting elements of comedy and parody in the roles of Polyphemus and Damon.
Composed at Cannons in 1718 for modest forces of around fifteen performers, Acis and Galatea is a magnificent synthesis of genres and styles, exploring every register of expression, and contains the seeds of moments and ideas to be found in later large-scale works by its composer.

This is an ideal subject for a vocal workshop, whose participants can identify with the skilful balance between lightweight and serious elements, the theatrical work without the luxurious trappings of opera, and the promotion of youth and talent.
Under the direction of Martin Gester, assisted by personalities and soloists from Le Parlement de Musique, the members of the academy will tackle Handel’s Acis and Galatea in a version as close as possible to the original.
Work on the interpretation of the masque will embrace all the diverse aspects of vocal and instrumental performance, for both musicians and singers: stage movement, advanced solo and ensemble singing, advanced instrumental performance, Baroque orchestral technique, and an introduction to vocal style and technique in English.
with the participation of :

• Kirsten Blaise (vocal studies), an American singer who has distinguished herself in many productions of Handel’s vocal works in addition to those of Mozart, Haydn, Sacchini, Cimarosa and Rameau), notably in the United States and at the Karlsruhe Opera and Handel Festival, the Halle Handel Festival – and on occasion with Le Parlement de Musique (songs by Gluck and Couperin's Leçons de Ténèbres).
• Carlos Harmuch (movement, semi-staging), theatre and opera director and professor of movement and drama at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, who has worked frequently with Martin Gester, most recently on a Mozart project at the 2009 Ambronay Academy.
• Stéphanie Pfister (instrumental studies), violinist, soloist with Le Parlement de Musique and several other ensembles including La Fenice, Le Concert d’Astrée and Akadêmia, and professor of Baroque violin at the Strasbourg Conservatoire.

Distribution

• Acis : Ivo Haun de Oliveira (Br)
• Galatea : Marie Jaermann (CH)
• Polyphemus : Olivier Dejean (F)
• Damon : Jorge Juan Morata (Esp)
• Corydon : Rémi Beer-Demander (F)
• Hautbois & flûtes à bec :  Bénédicte Wodey (F) - Renata Duarte (F / Br)
• Basson : Anne d'Anterroches-Walt (F)
• Violons : Saskia Birchler (CH) - Camille Van Essen (F) - Malgorzata Kozinska (Pl) - Dominika Pawlicka (Pl) - Olga Piskorz (Pl) - Emmanuel Resche (F)
• Violoncelles : Camille Boff (F) - Paulina Ptak  (Pl)
• Contrebasse : Benoit Berrato (F)
• Clavecin : Enrico Bissolo (It) - Maria Gonzales (Esp) - Dagmara Kapczynska (Pl)

Schedule

in Sarrebourg (Moselle, France)
4-9 July 2011: pre-production residential academy 1 at Le Couvent de Sarrebourg - Centre international des chemins du baroque (Moselle)
Duration of academy: 6 days
Sunday 9 July 2011: ‘showcase’ concert as part of the "Concerts de l'été à Sarrebourg"
Coaches: Kirsten Blaise, Stéphanie Pfister, Carlos Harmuch



in Poznan (Poland)

• 9-13 November 2011: residential academy 2 on the occasion of the polish Presidency of the European Union. Forces required : full final cast of singers and musicians (6 violins, 2 cellos, double bass, 2 oboes doubling on recorder, bassoon, 2 harpsichordists) – residential academy 2 in Poznan
• 14, 15, 16 November 2011 : concerts at Teatr Polski, Poznań. Work with orchestra and semi-staged movement in front of orchestra.

http://pl2011.eu/en/content/old-music-festival-poznan-baroque

Co-production: Le Parlement de Musique / Sarrebourg - Le Couvent- Centre international des chemins du baroque / Estrada Poznańska

If you have any questions
please do not hesitate to contact Ekaterina Nikolova on +33(0)3 88 32 20 13 or +33(0)6 08 31 02 92
or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Le Parlement de Musique
17 Grand Rue
F-67 000 Strasbourg
+33(0)3 88 32 20 13