HANDEL'S 'Acis & Galatea' 2026 (BALLARAT)

Sunday 3 May 2026 , 3pm (Central Uniting Church, Ballarat)

Additional Melbourne dates - https://www.trybooking.com/DLKCR

Saturday 2 May 2026, 3pm (Werner Brodbeck Hall, Scots's Church Melbourne)

Tuesday 5 may , 8pm (Werner Brodbeck Hall, Scots's Church Melbourne)

Description

Featuring an English text by John Gay, George Frideric Handel’s “Acis & Galatea” has been variously described as a serenata, a masque, a pastoral, pastoral opera or even an oratorio. It was by far Handel’s most popular dramatic work during his lifetime, and is his only stage work never to have left the opera repertory, enjoying frequent performances throughout the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. The opera is based on the characters Acis and Galatea from Greek mythology, later associated together in Ovid’s Metamorphoses. The story tells of the love between the mortal Acis and the sea-nymph Galatea; when the jealous cyclops Polyphemus kills Acis, the sea-nymph Galatea transforms her lover into an immortal river spirit.

Handel’s “Acis & Galatea” was the pinnacle of pastoral opera in England. Indeed, several writers, such as musicologist Stanley Sadie, consider it the greatest pastoral opera ever composed. Originally written as a courtly entertainment about the simplicity of rural life, the music contains significant quantities of wit and self-parody. The secondary characters, Polyphemus and Damon, provide humour without diminishing the pathos of the tragedy of the primary characters, Acis and Galatea. The music of the first act is both elegant and sensual, while the final act takes on a more melancholy and plaintive tone, and provides the listener with some of Handel’s most beautiful music.

RMP Chief Conductor Andrew Wailes directs an exciting cast of outstanding soloists in these three performances, with the RMP Choir and Orchestra in the intimate venues and excellent acoustics of the Assembly Hall in Melbourne and the Ballarat Central Uniting Church.

Andrew Wailes (Conductor)

Lily Flyn (Galatea) soprano
Timothy Reynolds (Acis) tenor
Alastair Cooper-Golec (Damon) tenor
Nicholas Dinopoulos (Polyphemus) bass-baritone

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir
Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra
Stefan Cassomenos (Harpsichord)

VENUES:

Central Uniting Church (Ballarat) - Sunday May 3 
103 Lydiard Street South
Ballarat, VIC 3350

Werner Brodbeck Hall, Scot's Church (Melbourne) - Saturday May 2 / Tuesday May 5
156 Collins Street
Melbourne, Vic 3000

Please note Trybooking tickets for this event are GENERAL ADMISSION, there is no allocated seating.

Premium Reserve tickets can however be reserved via Trybooking in the best viewing areas. These seats are also unallocated but guarantee you a spot in the best seats at the front of the stalls and balcony areas.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: There is ramp access to the Assembly Hall and there are specially reserved areas for wheelchairs. Please make your requirements known during the booking process and we will make sure to allocate seats accordingly. 

COMPANION / CARER CARD HOLDERS: Please arrive a bit early with the person you are accompanying, present yourself to an usher and upon showing your companion/carer's card you will be provided a seat for no charge.

SENIORS CARDS QUALIFY FOR CONCESSION: Please ensure you have your card upon entry.

CHILDREN: Handels Acis & Galatea is a classical concert experience best suited to older children, teens, and adults. Due to its length (approximately 2 hours) and formal setting, we recommend it for ages 10 and above. Please note that all children over the age of 2 will need their own seat and specially priced Student tickets are available if sitting in the General Admission area.

Enquiries: tickets@rmp.org.au
 

For media enquiries please contact musicdirector@rmp.org.au or call 0433 661 971

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