Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of George Frideric Handel's "Theodora, HWV 68," a masterful blend of classical, choral, and operatic brilliance. Released on July 1, 2003, by Warner Classics International, this album offers a captivating journey through one of Handel's most profound and dramatic oratorios. Spanning a rich 1 hour and 55 minutes, "Theodora" is a testament to Handel's genius, featuring a stunning array of arias, choruses, and recitatives that showcase the depth and range of his compositional skills.
The album is a powerful narrative of faith, love, and martyrdom, set against the backdrop of early Christian persecution. Handel's evocative music brings to life the story of Theodora, a Christian woman who chooses martyrdom over renouncing her faith. The performances are nothing short of breathtaking, with each track offering a unique emotional and musical experience. From the stirring overture to the poignant arias and the majestic choruses, every moment of "Theodora" is a testament to Handel's enduring legacy.
This album is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates the richness of classical music and the dramatic intensity of opera. Handel's "Theodora" is not just an album; it's a musical odyssey that will leave you in awe of the composer's artistry and the timeless beauty of his work.
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: OvertureGeorge Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: TrioGeorge Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: CouranteGeorge Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "'Tis Diocletian's natal day" (Valens)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Nathan Berg
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Air. "Go, my faithful soldier, go" (Valens)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Nathan Berg
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Chorus. "And draw a blessing down" (Heathens)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "Vouchsafe, dread Sir" (Didymus, Valens)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Daniel Taylor, Les Arts Florissants, Nathan Berg
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Air. "Racks, gibbets, sword and fire" (Valens)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Nathan Berg
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Chorus. "For ever thus stands fix'd the doom" (Heathens)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "Most cruel edict!" (Didymus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Daniel Taylor, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Air. "The raptur'd soul defies the sword" (Didymus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Daniel Taylor, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "I know thy virtues" (Septimius)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Richard Croft
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Air. "Descend, kind Pity" (Septimius)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Richard Croft
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "Though hard, my friends" (Theodora)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Air. "Fond flatt'ring world, adieu!" (Theodora)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "O bright example of all goodness!" (Irene)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Juliette Galstian, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Air. "Bane of virtue, nurse of passions" (Irene)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Juliette Galstian, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Chorus. "Come, mighty Father, mighty Lord" (Christians)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "Fly, my brethren!" - Recitative. "Ah! wither should we fly?" (Messenger, Irene)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Juliette Galstian, Laurent Slaars, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Air. "As with rosy steps" (Irene)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Juliette Galstian, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Chorus. "All pow'r heaven above" (Christians)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "Mistaken wretches!" (Septimius)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Richard Croft
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Air. "Dread the fruits of Christian folly" (Septimius)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Richard Croft
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "Deluded mortal!" (Theodora, Septimius)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Richard Croft, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Accompagnato. "Oh worse than death indeed!" (Theodora)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Air. "Angels, ever bright and fair" (Theodora)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "Unhappy, happy crew!" (Didymus, Irene)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Daniel Taylor, Juliette Galstian, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Air. "Kind Heav'n if virtue be thy care" (Didymus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Daniel Taylor, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Recitative. "O love, how great thy pow'r!" (Irene)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Juliette Galstian, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 1: Chorus. "Go, gen'rous pious youth" (Christians)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Recitative. "Ye men of Antioch" (Valens)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Nathan Berg
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Chorus. "Queen of summer" (Heathens)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Air. "Wide spread his name" (Valens)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Nathan Berg
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Recitative. "Return, Septimius" (Valens)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Nathan Berg
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Chorus. "Venus laughing from the skies" (Heathens)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Symphony IGeorge Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Recitative. "O thou bright sun!" (Theodora)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Air. "With darkness deep" (Theodora)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Symphony IIGeorge Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Recitative. "But why art thou disquited" (Theodora)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Air. "Oh that I on wings could rise" (Theodora)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Recitative. "Long have I known" (Didymus, Septimius)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Daniel Taylor, Les Arts Florissants, Richard Croft
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Air. "Though the honours" (Septimius)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Richard Croft
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Recitative. "Oh save her" (Didymus, Septimius)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Daniel Taylor, Les Arts Florissants, Richard Croft
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Air. "Deeds of kindness to display" (Didymus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Daniel Taylor, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Recitative. "The clouds begin to veil" (Irene)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Juliette Galstian, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Air. "Defend her, Heav'n" (Irene)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Juliette Galstian, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Recitative. "Or lull'd with grief or rapt her soul" (Didymus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Daniel Taylor, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Air. "Sweet rose and lily" (Didymus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Daniel Taylor, Les Arts Florissants
Handel: Theodora, HWV 68, Act 2: Recitative. "O save me, Heav'n" (Theodora, Didymus)George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Daniel Taylor, Les Arts Florissants, Sophie Daneman