About This Item
The oratorio Theodora was first performed at the Covent Garden Theatre on 16 March 1750 and clearly took Londoners by surprise. Handel had, after all, made a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn in his choice of subject. The grandiose episodes of the Old Testament, the glorious struggles of Solomon, Saul, or Judas Maccabaeus are no more the young martyr Theodora leads neither a community nor troops into battle. In a work far removed from the grand spectacle of biblical oratorios, Handel invites us to witness the poignant tale of a personal drama, a drama of the beginnings of Christianity fuelled by conscience, faith, and the heartbreak that they cause. Album Tracks 1. Theodora, HWV 68-Ouverture 2. Theodora, HWV 68-Part I. Scene 1. Recitative 'Tis Dioclesian's Natal Day 3. Theodora, HWV 68-Part I. Scene 1. Air Go, My Faithful Soldier 4. Theodora, HWV 68-Part I. Scene 1. Chorus of Heathens And Draw a Blessing Down 5. Theodora, HWV 68-Part I. Scene 1. Recitative Vouchsafe, Dread Sir, a Gracious Ear 6. Theodora, HWV 68-Part I. Scene 1. Air Racks, Gibbets, Sword and Fire 7. Theodora, HWV 68-Part I. Scene 1. Chorus of Heathens For Ever Thus Stands Fix'd the Doom 8. Theodora, HWV 68-Part I. Scene 2. Recitative Most Cruel Edict! 9. Theodora, HWV 68-Part I. Scene 2. Air The Raptur'd Soul Defies the Sword 10. Theodora, HWV 68-Part I. Scene 2. Recitative I Know Thy Virtues, and Ask Not Thy Faith 11. Theodora, HWV 68-Part I. Scene 2. Air Descend, Kind Pity, Heav'nly Guest 12. Theodora, HWV 68-Part I. Scene 3. Recitative Though Hard, My Friends 13. Theodora, HWV 68-Part I. Scene 3. Air Fond, Flatt'ring World, Adieu! 14. Theodora, HWV 68-Part I. Scene 3. Recitative O Bright Example of All Goodness! 15. Theodora, HWV 68-Part I. Scene 3. Chorus of Christians Come, Mighty Father, Mighty Lord 16. Theodora, HWV 68-Part I. Scene 4. Recitat
