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Oh, the pleasure of the plains!

Posted by DCA Theater on July 2, 2009 in Other, Summer Opera

Submitted by Stephen Raskauskas, Production Dramaturge

Handel’s Acis and Galatea was originally performed outdoors on a terrace overlooking the gardens of Cannons – a ducal palace in England.  So, the Chicago Cultural Center’s final outdoor performance of Acis and Galatea in the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park is a perfect way to experience Handel’s glorious music as it was originally intended – in nature! 

The pastoral themes of the opera lent themselves perfectly to an outdoor performance at Cannons in 1718, when the work debuted.  However, Handel was no stranger to the genre of outdoor opera; in 1708, he composed an entirely different version of the Acis and Galatea story in Italy, called Aci, Galatea e Polifemo, which was also performed outdoors.  Acis and Galatea was so popular during the 18th century that it was frequently performed well after Handel’s death and was even adapted by Mozart!

On August 3rd, pack your picnics and enjoy the “pleasure of the plains” in Millennium Park to celebrate the sun, summer, and the 250th anniversary of Handel’s death with the Chicago Cultural Center Summer Opera!