Summer Festival of Early Music: A Baroque Delight
The Summer Festival of Early Music, held in Prague, proved that artistic expression can adapt to changing seasons. Just as restaurants adjust their menus in warm weather, the festival offered a refreshing take on Baroque music. The 25th anniversary celebration of the festival concluded with a production of Handel’s opera Acis and Galatea.
The opera featured a talented cast of singers and musicians, including the Collegium Marianum orchestra and the Buchty a loutky theater ensemble. Directed by Vít Brukner, the production transported audiences to the whimsical world of the Baroque era.
The play opens with a puppet theater, where small wooden figures move and singers perform, visible only from the waist up. This unique setting allows for expressive facial expressions and gestures. The story unfolds through the interplay of characters, occasionally stepping out of their roles to provide a glimpse of the Baroque perspective.
Handel’s opera, with its simple plot based on Ovid’s Metamorphoses, resonates with its captivating music. The composer’s masterful compositions, known for their universality, were originally written for a German audience but later flourished in England.
The talented soloists, including Helena Hozová as Galatea and Acis Vojtěcha Semeráda, brought life to the characters with grace and nobility. The entire cast displayed confidence and playfulness in their interpretation of the Baroque style.
The performance was enriched by playful humor, visual effects, and even a giant marionette of the one-eyed Polyphemus. The discreetly positioned orchestra added depth and richness to the musical landscape.
The festival organizers honored the memory of soprano Patricia Burda Janečková, who had passed away the previous year. A recording of her performance in the lead role is available online.