New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-24
THE HANDEL FESTIVAL
"ACIs AND GALATEA' WITH SCENERY Avn
COSTUMES - THE MESSIAH WIN
THE ORIGINAL ACCOMPANIMENT

The 13Oth anniversary OF the first performanc. =,
Hnndeps Messiah" ID TO be commemoated this ~.
by series Of three festival concerts under the A.
ton Of Walter DamrosCn, assisted by the symnAos-
orchestra throughout Initiating the music OF the No.
the Music Hall. On Thursday evening and r,,d.
afternoon the pastoral "Acis and Gaateas win y
presented for the first time In this country as u..
play with the following cast:
Galatcs. q sea nymph Clsmentne De yeresan,.
Acis. shepherd William II. RIeeef
PSvnhsHus eian, Irene Peyny
Tho work will be given with all the necessary s...
appointments and appropriate costumes. The chos,.
numbers are to be rendered BY fifty or more lead,n,
church choir singers. Who have been carefully traIn.s
by Mr. Damroech. The scenery which has hes,
painted for the occasion, will represent a clasx.
Grecian landscape diversified with rocks and shas,
groves with the in the distance As the curta,
rises this is bathed In early morning light wht.
gradually brightens into day. chorus Of nymp.
and shepherds enter dancing ard singing; this Is fA
lowed BY the entrance Of Galates, who brcathes NJ,
love for the shepherd AcIs In the dangerous strain,
Hush, ye pretty warbling choir the music OF "a.
orchestra throughout Initiating the music Of the birds
Acis enters declaring his love m the graceful air. LOW
in her eyes sits paying.' Their voices finally unit
In the Duct Happy, happy, we.' in which the
chorus joins. In the second act the chorus bevd
singing before the curtain RISES II bewails the fate
the WTcbned lovers on WHOM fdpc mas passed the
decree that "No Joy shall last" In frightened e.
cents they announce the approach Of the giant Poly.
phemus, "The mountain mods, the forest Stakes the
waves nun frightened to the shores; bark! how The
laundering giant roars." AS the curtain rises Poly.
phens is seen entering and the chorus Of frightened
nymphs and shepherds hurry away at his approach
The dramatic rectatve Of Polyphemus, II rage,
melt burn' in which he declares his love for Galates
in ponderous accents as well the air which follows
It, 90, riddicr than the cherry" so well known
that they need no comment. They are reckoned amns
Handes most remarkable examples Of musical
writing and defamation. As Polyphemus Do
clares his love for Galatea, she spurns the
uncouth sutton, and Acis, entering, declares his
resolve do combat with the giant in TIE famous air
Love sounds tn alarm, and fear is aHying., Ac,s
and Cialaea declare to each other the constancy OF
their love- and Poly phemus. enraged Lifts his club and
strikes the unfortunate Acis to the ground Acis dies
calling ont, Help, Gaatea Help. ye parent gods,
and take me to your deep abodes' As night gradually
derfuliy pathetic chorus. Mourn, all We Muses. The
death OF Acis is bewaied until finally Galatea her
divine power and changes her dead lover into flowing
river This river Is bubbing out Of the rocks
sparkling In the moonlight as It flows toward
the sea, there TO mnge continually With the waters Of
the ocean--the home Of Gaatea.
The Messiah will be given on Saturday even.
Ing. with Mrs. Jennie Thtrck Walker and Miss Mar
gare Rted sopranos: Nine. Marie Rite Goetze alto;
signor Campanni, tenor: Ericsson T. Bushnell, bass.
Oratoro Society will sustain the orchestral and choral
parts Mr.. Damrosch will use Eandels original orches
ration, and II viii be the first performance Of the
Messiah IN this country with this accompaniment