Theodora, the masterpiece of Handel’s old age, was said to be his favourite oratorio. Set in 4th‐century Antioch, it concerns the martyrdom of Theodora, a noble Christian lady and her lover Didymus, a Roman officer, at the hands of the villainous Roman governor Valens. Handel responded to Thomas Morell’s tragic drama with music of superb quality, by turns passionate, dramatic and full of pathos.
For this performance we have shortened the work to be able to perform it without an interval. We have retained all the best music in a sequence lasting about an hour and a half, with our chairman Stephen Varcoe providing a spoken narration. Philippa Hyde and Helen Charlston need no introduction; they will be singing the roles of Theodora and Irene respectively. Didymus is sung by Dominic Mattos, an exciting young countertenor currently singing with Opera North.
*****
Philippa Hyde soprano
Helen Charlston mezzo-soprano
Dominic Mattos countertenor
Stephen Varcoe narrator
Psalmody
Essex Baroque Orchestra
directed by Peter Holman
