Acis and Galatea, Opera Holland Park review ★★★★★

What would the adopted Londoner George Frideric Handel have made of it? Stepping out of his Brook Street house and heading west from Mayfair, the German-born composer could have strolled through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens and out into Holland Park where today a parkland summer opera house is conjured almost out of thin air.

Just over 300 years ago, his short pastoral opera Acis and Galatea was staged at the grand mansion that now houses North London Collegiate School, Edgware. So a new production by Opera Holland Park in the shell of Holland House, graced with an airy canopy, might not have come as a complete shock. And he would have counted himself very lucky if his orchestra had been the City of London Sinfonia, also stepping out in a new direction with a clean, unadorned 18th-century sound.

The story is slight, and bittersweet. Shepherd Acis and sea nymph goddess Galatea are in love, but jealous one-eyed predator Polyphemus turns on Acis, and Galatea must use magic powers to save him – but in an unusual form...

Elizabeth Karani as Galatea and Chuma Sijeqa as Polyphemus. Photo: Ali Wright

Louise Bakker's enchanting production enjoys to the full the pastoral theme, with designer Alyson Cummins's charming, fairytale design, and with Merry Holden's endlessly inventive choreography rejoicing in Handel's bouncy rhythms and soothing glides: a characterful ensemble of eight singers, a mini-chorus observing and aiding the action, are her witty and enthusiastic dancers. Their sheep impersonations are a special delight.

As serene Galatea, soprano Elizabeth Karani has the grandeur of a being with superior powers but also the passion of a woman in love. Her devoted swain, Acis, is attractively sung by tenor Anthony Gregory. South African-born bass-baritone Chuma Sijeqa is an unusually cuddly Polyphemus, hard to dislike, the poor old booby, and softened by the stylised way in which he despatches Acis.

Tenor Ruairi Bowen is very pleasing as Damon, the friend who foresees trouble if Acis gets involved with Galatea.

Anthony Gregory as Acis woes the goddess Galatea. Photo: Ali Wright

Michael Papadopoulous makes a striking Opera Holland Park debut conducting the City of London Sinfonia in sprightly baroque mode, with bristling recorders and Paula Chateauneuf's murmuring theorbo.

Complemented by natural birdsong and pigeon flypasts, this rural fable in music, and OHP's first foray into Handel, fits like a glove, and despite its mournful theme, is a very happy affair. It would be even lovelier if we heard more of the lovers' fine voices by bringing those characters downstage more often – OHP still has a runway that wraps round the orchestra. But Mr Handel, ensconced in one of the auditorium's elegant, front stalls Georgian-style armchairs would surely have approved.

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Acis and Galatea is sung in English with English surtitles. Further performances are on 24, 26, 31 July, 2 Aug. Click here to book