Theodora

Georg Friedrich Handel himself considered "Theodora" to be one of his most important works. Besides the "Messiah", it is the only oratorio in which the Baroque composer told a Christian story: In ancient Antioch, the Christian Theodora defied the constraints of the Roman occupiers and chose death as a martyr with her Roman lover. The drama of religion and love is characterized by a special musical inwardness. The title role features the soprano Lisette Oropesa - a star at the New York MET for years and a welcome guest in Vienna, Munich and Paris. At her side is the always expressive star mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato. She embodies Theodora's friend Irene, who gave Handel several arias of agitated elegance.