Reviews 2008
Reviews 2008
✭✭✭✭✩
by George Frideric Handel, directed by Patrick Young
Opera Erratica, Toronto Fringe Festival, Factory Theatre Mainspace, Toronto
July 3-12, 2008
This must be THE bargain of the Fringe--a fully staged Handel opera from 1718 with five singers and orchestra of ten on period instruments. The lively work expertly conducted by Ashiq Aziz is beautifully played and sung. As the mortal shepherd Acis, Thomas Macleay has a gorgeous tenor ideal for the role, while Rosie Coad as Galatea, the immortal nymph he loves, has a lovely clear soprano. Director Patrick Young stages the action before continuous front-projected video sequences. These are innocuous when abstract and slow moving, but when awash with motion, the text often oozing over the screen, they distract from the fine acting of the talented cast.
©Christopher Hoile
Note: A version of this review appeared in Eye Weekly 2008-07-10.
Photo: Rosie Coad (standing) and Thomas Macleay (prone). ©Opera Erratica.
2008-07-10
Acis and Galatea