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Acis and Galatea becomes the FIRST fully-staged opera to appear on the Jay Prtizker Pavilion

Submitted by Stephen Raskauskas, Production Dramaturge
Photos by Kathleen Donovan Warren

Galatea (Amy Conn) has used her divine powers to transform Acis (John Zuckerman) into a flowing river.

John Zuckerman and Amy Conn (center) end “Happy We” with a kiss, as the chorus—Brian Hoffman, Brad Jungwirth, Scott Brunscheen, Susan Nelson, and Caitlin McKechney (from left to right)—congratulates the newly wedded lovers.

The Summer Opera production of Acis and Galatea in the Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park was a huge success.

Luckily, the morning rain cleared up just in time for the cast and crew to begin set up.  In fact, the weather was fantastic, and over 4,000 people arrived to experience some beautiful music, clever staging, and a bit of Chicago history; Acis and Galatea was the first ever fully-staged opera on the Pavilion! 

Susan Nelson, Brad Jungwirth, Caitlin McKechney, Scott Brunscheen, and Brian Hoffman (from left to right), end the opera just the way it starts; a dazzling, five-part chorus.

Acis (John Zuckerman, left) and Polypheme (Wilbur Pauley, right) prepare to fight for Galatea’s affection.

The intimate production translated remarkably well onto the gigantic stage after some slight alterations, and amplification allowed everyone in the park to experience the glory of Handel’s music.  (Before August 3rd, some of the singers, like most opera singers, had never sung with microphones! )

Audience members enjoy the opera from the comfort of the Great Lawn

If you didn’t get a chance to see Acis and Galatea, be sure to catch next year’s performance, as well as the many free and fantastic offerings at the Chicago Cultural Center and in Millennium Park.