Gramophone Magazine
August 2023
DVD/Blu-ray of the Month

Jean-Francois Lombard (Acis), Elena Harsanyi (Galatee), Valeria La Grotta (Diane), Luigi de Donato (Polipheme), Francesca Lombardi Mazzulli (L'Abondance), Markus van Arsdale (Comus/Tircis), Orchestra E Coro Del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Benjamin Lazar

Having been granted unprecedented authority by Louis XIV, the Sun King, no one could stage operas in France without Jean-Baptiste Lully’s permission. By 1686, however, Lully’s authority was waning and his long-standing librettist deserted him to write sacred works. Despite these setbacks, Lully wrote Acis et Galatee, a pastorale heroïque, and one of his final masterpieces. Its plot – the cyclops Poliphème’s love for the nymph Galatee – drew from Lully an astonishing alternation of effects, a profound monologue for the nymph in Act III and a magnificent concluding Passacaille, all framed by a succession of dances and vividly conceived choruses.

"Sardelli (wielding an authentically Lullian staff for certain movements) propels a crisp account – the festival orchestra’s first with period instruments. The many dances show off a wonderful variety of instrumental colours." - Gramophone Magazine, August 2023.