Aci, Galatea e Polifemo, an unstaged serenata composed for a ducal wedding in Naples in 1708, is not to be confused with the slightly more operatic Acis and Galatea, written in London in 1718. Both adapt a tale from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the Italian work is bolder in conception and far more virtuosic than its English pastoral counterpart and features some of Handel's finest arias.
Haïm’s spirited and imaginative direction is complemented by Aci superbly sung by Laurent Naouri showing his wide range in the extremely demanding role of Polifemo and Sandrine Piau with her brilliant, steely yet still sweet soprano, used with quasi-instrumental technical accomplishment. © Warner Classics