Georg Frideric Handel - Acis & Galatea - "O ruddier than the cherry" (Bryn Terfel)

Another aria that I would single out among the pieces from Handel's pastoral cantata is Polyphemus's "cavatina" of striking dramatical weight, constituting one of the rare examples of Handel creating a purely comical bass part.

The aria is connected very intimately with the previous selection: it acts as an introductory cavatina for the character; it uses a similar accompaniment to highlight, though, Polyphemus's buffoonery, to name just a few points of interest. In some ways, it acts as a foil to Galatea's aria which provides another extreme: perfect gentility and lyricism. The story is as follows: the giant Polyphemus [a love-stricken cyclops], more used to wreaking terror and devastation than feelings of love, attempts to woo Galatea, causing her to flee in horror.

Bryn Terfel is as close to being the character but does not harm the vocal splendor the aria calls for. Hope you'll enjoy :).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Handel
• coloratura
• baroque

[Meyerbeer1]

My favourite aria by Händel. I think i will upload the same aria but with a different singer.

[LindoroRossini]

Who will undertake the role, if I may ask :)?

[Glenmed]

Tremendous performance.

[aldiboronti]

It's one of my favourite Handel arias too. I often (usually when listening to his works) find myself convinced that he was, of all composers, the one with the greatest genius.

[HarmonicNature]

This has to be one of my absolute favorites from Bryn's "Handel Arias" CD. Thanks very much for posting it on YouTube! :)

[SuzettePleshette]

Is this the version with Peter Pears singing Acis?

I LOVE this!

[CountertenorJ]

@UnaDormienda I respectfully disagree on the humorous effect. I believe that effect is achieved by the absolute horrid visage of Polyphemus. Though, I am not sure it's mean to be as humorous as it is to be very sad -- for Polyphemus will never have what he desires. And it is to be inspiring -- because such a creature can aspire to such beauty. This is in the era of opera seria and not comic opera, after all.

[violatione]

@shnimmuc I'm with you I think that Mozart is way overrated. But I also think that Bach is overrated as well. In my opinion Handel, Telemann and D. Scarlatti were better composers and more imaginative.

[violatione]

@UnaDormienda Oh no! Polyphemus is a monstrous giant. To have him sing beautifully is humorous in and of itself.

[violatione]

I like this interpretation a lot!!!!

[UnaDormienda]

I think this is too fast. A contrast is usually made between a strong, massive bass performance and the dainty sopranino accompaniment for humourous effect. It's lost here.

[shnimmuc]

Mozart could not even walk in Handel`s shadow. The only composers in the same league are Bach, Beethoven and Wagner. And perhaps Debussy. I also prefer Haydn over Mozart.

[1943181]

Bryn presents a slightly faster tempo than Owen Brannigan's but still captures the mood admirably

[sanfranphono]

Love Bryn Terfel, but he sounds rather emasculated for a boulder throwing cyclops.

Check my video response for what may be the best recording of O ruddier than the cherry, made in 1908 by the great Quaker Baritone David Bispham.

Thanks for posting this smooth rendition.