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Arcangelo|Handel: Theodora, HWV 60

Handel: Theodora, HWV 60

Arcangelo and Jonathan Cohen

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Theodora, HWV 68, was Handel's personal favorite among his own oratorios, and he ranked the concluding chorus of Part II, "He saw the lovely youth," above that of the Hallelujah chorus from Messiah. That would be a good place to start sampling this 2024 release by the early music group Arcangelo and its conductor, Jonathan Cohen, which landed on classical best-seller charts early that year. Theodora bombed at its premiere, and for many decades, its grim tale of the Christian martyr Theodora and her Roman convert consort, Didymus, suffered by comparison with the triumphal Messiah. However, the work is musically unimpeachable, and it has grown more popular as new performances have found the typical Handelian oratorio flavor in it. In "He saw the lovely youth," Cohen's chorus, wisely not slimmed down (there are 28 singers), is warm, clear, and fully intelligible. So it is with the five soloists, with countertenor Tim Mead perhaps a standout, but with the whole group bringing a lively sense of the text. None, however, strays into operatic territory, and this is important (even if the work has been staged from time to time, notably by director Peter Sellars); Handel's vocal writing in his oratorios was different in kind from that of his opera, more oriented toward direct communication than to ornament. A complete text is included in the booklet, but it is hardly needed; all the singers, solo and ensemble, put the text across, and this is the way to do Handelian oratorio. Everything comes together in this recording based on a live performance at the Barbican in London but recorded well at St. Augustine's Church, Kilbourn, London. A real winner from Cohen and Arcangelo.

© James Manheim /TiVo

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Handel: Theodora, HWV 60

Arcangelo

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1
Theodora, HWV 68, Overture: Grave - Allegro
00:03:10

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

2
Theodora, HWV 68, Overture: Trio
00:01:37

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

3
Theodora, HWV 68, Overture: Courante
00:01:12

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

4
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Recitative. ’Tis Dioclesian’s Natal Day
00:00:34

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Adam Plachetka, Soloist, MainArtist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

5
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Air. Go, My Faithful Soldier
00:01:54

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Adam Plachetka, Soloist, MainArtist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

6
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Chorus. And Draw A Blessing Down
00:02:13

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

7
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Recitative. Vouchsafe, Dread Sir
00:00:57

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Tim Mead, Soloist, MainArtist - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Adam Plachetka, Soloist, MainArtist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

8
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Air. Racks, Gibbets, Sword, & Fire
00:03:26

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Adam Plachetka, Soloist, MainArtist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

9
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Chorus. For Ever Thus Stands Fix’d The Doom
00:01:44

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

10
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Recitative. Most Cruel Edict!
00:00:34

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Tim Mead, Soloist, MainArtist - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

11
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Air. The Raptur’d Soul Defies The Sword
00:07:50

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Tim Mead, Soloist, MainArtist - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

12
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Recitative. I Know Thy Virtues
00:00:53

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Stuart jackson, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

13
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Air’ Descend, Kind Pity, Heav’nly Guest
00:07:34

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Stuart jackson, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

14
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Recitative. Tho’ Hard, My Friends
00:00:32

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Louise Alder, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

15
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Air. Fond, Flatt’ring World, Adieu!
00:04:38

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Louise Alder, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

16
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Recitative. O Bright Example Of All Goodness!
00:00:33

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Anna Stephany, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

17
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Air. Bane Of Virtue, Nurse Of Passions
00:05:24

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Anna Stephany, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

18
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Chorus. Come, Mighty Father, Mighty Lord
00:03:09

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

19
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Recitative. Fly, Fly, My Brethren
00:00:58

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Louise Alder, Soloist, MainArtist - Guy Elliott, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

20
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Air. As With Rosy Steps The Morn Advancing
00:07:08

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Anna Stephany, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

21
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Chorus. All Pow’r In Heav’n Above
00:02:16

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

22
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Recitative. Mistaken Wretches!
00:00:24

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Stuart jackson, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

23
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Air. Dread The Fruits Of Christian Folly
00:03:03

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Stuart jackson, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

24
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Recitative. Deluded Mortal!
00:00:51

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Stuart jackson, Soloist, MainArtist - Louise Alder, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

25
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Recitative, Accompany’d 'O Worse Than Death Indeed!
00:00:22

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Louise Alder, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

26
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Air. Angels, Ever Bright, & Fair
00:03:22

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Louise Alder, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

27
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Recitative. Unhappy Happy Crew!
00:00:49

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Tim Mead, Soloist, MainArtist - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Anna Stephany, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

28
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Air. Kind Heav’n, If Virtue Be Thy Care
00:05:33

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Tim Mead, Soloist, MainArtist - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

29
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Recitative. O Love! How Great Thy Pow’r!
00:00:24

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Anna Stephany, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

30
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. I: Chorus. Go, Gen’rous, Pious Youth
00:04:35

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

DISC 2

1
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Recitative. Ye Men Of Antioch
00:00:33

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Adam Plachetka, Soloist, MainArtist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

2
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Chorus. Queen Of Summer, Queen Of Love
00:00:38

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

3
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Air. Wide Spread His Name
00:02:21

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Adam Plachetka, Soloist, MainArtist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

4
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Recitative. Return, Septimius, To The Stubborn Maid
00:00:34

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Adam Plachetka, Soloist, MainArtist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

5
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Chorus. Venus Laughing From The Skies
00:01:17

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

6
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Sinfonia
00:00:57

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

7
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Recitative. O Thou Bright Sun!
00:00:36

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Louise Alder, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

8
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Air. With Darkness Deep As Is My Woe
00:04:07

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Louise Alder, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

9
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Symphony Of Soft Musick
00:01:29

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

10
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Recitative. But Why Art Thou Disquieted, My Soul?
00:00:27

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Louise Alder, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

11
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Air. O That I On Wings Cou’d Rise
00:03:21

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Louise Alder, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

12
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Recitative. Long Have I Known Thy Friendly Social Soul
00:01:06

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Tim Mead, Soloist, MainArtist - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Stuart jackson, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

13
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Air. Tho’ The Honours
00:03:48

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Tim Mead, Soloist, MainArtist - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

14
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Recitative. O Save Her Then, Or Give Me Pow’r To Save
00:00:40

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Tim Mead, Soloist, MainArtist - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Stuart jackson, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

15
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Air. Deeds Of Kindness To Display
00:06:29

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Tim Mead, Soloist, MainArtist - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

16
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Recitative. The Clouds Begin To Veil The Hemisphere
00:00:42

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Anna Stephany, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

17
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Air. Defend Her, Heav’n
00:05:37

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Anna Stephany, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

18
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Recitative. Or Lull’d With Grief
00:00:34

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Tim Mead, Soloist, MainArtist - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

19
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Air. Sweet Rose, & Lily
00:02:41

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Tim Mead, Soloist, MainArtist - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

20
Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. II: Recitative. O Save Me, Heav’n
00:01:09

George Frideric Handel, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Tim Mead, Soloist, MainArtist - Thomas Morell, Lyricist - Arcangelo, Ensemble, MainArtist - Jonathan Cohen, Conductor, MainArtist - Louise Alder, Soloist, MainArtist

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

Albumbeschreibung

Theodora, HWV 68, was Handel's personal favorite among his own oratorios, and he ranked the concluding chorus of Part II, "He saw the lovely youth," above that of the Hallelujah chorus from Messiah. That would be a good place to start sampling this 2024 release by the early music group Arcangelo and its conductor, Jonathan Cohen, which landed on classical best-seller charts early that year. Theodora bombed at its premiere, and for many decades, its grim tale of the Christian martyr Theodora and her Roman convert consort, Didymus, suffered by comparison with the triumphal Messiah. However, the work is musically unimpeachable, and it has grown more popular as new performances have found the typical Handelian oratorio flavor in it. In "He saw the lovely youth," Cohen's chorus, wisely not slimmed down (there are 28 singers), is warm, clear, and fully intelligible. So it is with the five soloists, with countertenor Tim Mead perhaps a standout, but with the whole group bringing a lively sense of the text. None, however, strays into operatic territory, and this is important (even if the work has been staged from time to time, notably by director Peter Sellars); Handel's vocal writing in his oratorios was different in kind from that of his opera, more oriented toward direct communication than to ornament. A complete text is included in the booklet, but it is hardly needed; all the singers, solo and ensemble, put the text across, and this is the way to do Handelian oratorio. Everything comes together in this recording based on a live performance at the Barbican in London but recorded well at St. Augustine's Church, Kilbourn, London. A real winner from Cohen and Arcangelo.

© James Manheim /TiVo

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2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Arcangelo & Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France

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