Alto ALC-2005 — Handel: Theodora

Georg Frideric Handel: Theodora

Heather Harper / Maureen Forrester / Maureen Lehane / Alexander Young
Amor Artis Chorale / English Chamber Orchestra

Johannes Somary, conductor

Catalog Number–ALC2005
Number of Discs–2
Duration–152:45
Price (includes domestic shipping)–USA$13
Price (outside USA, includes shipping)–USA$18

usaoutsideusa

October 2008 release

Theodora was a favourite with Handel himself among his oratorios; [this] Vanguard account is traditional in style and is directed by an understanding and intelligent Handelian, Johannes Somary. With fresh and sympathetic singing from soloists who are stylistically at home in Handel, the result is most enjoyable. Maureen Forrester in particular sings superbly…the recording has transferred warmly and vividly to CD.”—Penguin Guide

CD I (76:54)
ACT I
[1] Overture 3:58
[2] Valens - Recitative, Aria; Chorus 5:06
[3] Didimus, Valens - Recitative; Valens – Aria 3:10
[4] Chorus 2:56
[5] Didimus - Recitative, Aria 5:09
[6] Septimius - Recitative, Aria 4:47
[7] Theodora - Recitative, Aria 5:32
[8] Irene - Recitative 0:37
[9] Chorus 4:03
[10] Messenger - Recitative; Irene - Recitative, Aria 4:40
[11] Chorus 2:06
[12] Septimius, Theodora - Recitative 1:16
[13] Theodora - Recitative, Aria 4:06
[14] Didimus, Irene - Recitative 0:49
[15] Didimus - Aria 2:35
[16] Irene - Recitative; Chorus 6:17
ACT II
[17] Valens – Recitative Chorus 1:47
[18] Valens - Aria 2:29
[19] Valens - Recitative; Chorus 2:29
[20] Symphony 1:37
[21] Theodora - Recitative, Aria 4:52
[22] Symphony 2:26
[23] Theodora - Recitative, Aria 4:08

CD 2 (75:51)
ACT II (conclusion)
[1] Didimus – Recitative ; Septimius - Recit, Aria 5:38
[2] Didimus, Septimius - Recitative 0:43
[3] Irene - Recitative, Aria 8:13
[4] Didimus - Recitative, Aria 3:30
[5] Theodora, Didimus - Recitative 1:16
[6] Theodora - Aria 1:59
[7] Didimus, Theodora - Recitative 2:00
[8] Theodora, Didimus - Duet 5:08
[9] Irene - Recitative 0:42
[10] Chorus 6:38
ACT III
[11] Irene - Aria 6:31
[12] Irene, Theodora - Recitative 0:43
[13] Chorus 3:21
[14] Messenger, Irene, Theodora – Recitative 1:53
[15] Irene, Theodora - Duet 1:44
[16] Irene – Recitative 0:34
[17] Valens, Didimus, Theodora, 7:40
Septimius - Recit; Septimius - Aria
[18] Valens - Aria 1:20
[19] Didimus, Theodora - Recitative 1:14
[20] Chorus 3:32
[21] Didimus, Theodora, Valens, 1:45
Septimius - Recitative
[22] Didimus, Theodora - Duet 5:32
[23] Irene – Recitative 0:25
[24] Chorus 3:51

Total playing time–152:45

Recorded in 1967
Producer: Seymour Solomon
Remastered for by Paul Arden-Taylor (www.dinmore-records.co.uk)