Handel's Theodora - with The Hanover Band

Conductor: David Gibson Soloists: Theodora - Erica Eloff (soprano) Irene - Carolyn Dobbin (mezzo-soprano) Didymus - James Laing (countertenor) Septimius - Joseph Cornwell (tenor) Valens - Wyn Pencarreg (bass) 29th November 2008 Southampton Guildhall Tickets on sale NOW A highlight of the autumn season! This concert will be a rare performance of Handel’s oratorio Theodora, a masterpiece of musical drama containing some of Handel’s finest music. It is packed with wonderful arias, duets and choruses by this most tuneful of composers. Theodora was reputedly Handel’s favourite oratorio and he rated one chorus “far above” the Hallelujah Chorus in Messiah. Indeed, parts of Theodora have the intensity of Bach’s St Matthew Passion. Since Glyndebourne Opera’s groundbreaking production in 1996, Theodora has been firmly established in the early music repertoire. However it is still rarely performed by choral societies, being unfairly eclipsed by the overwhelming popularity of Messiah. This will be Southampton Philharmonic Choir’s first performance of the work. We will be joined by The Hanover Band, one of the finest period-instrument orchestras in the world, with an unrivalled reputation for the excellence of its performances and recordings of 18th and 19th century music. Our fine cast of soloists includes soprano Erica Eloff in the title role; earlier this year Erica won the Handel Singing Competition at the London Handel Festival and is a rising star of the Handel concert scene. This concert will be one of the highlights of the autumn season, setting the scene for Handel’s 250th anniversary year in 2009. Not to be missed! Want to know more about Theodora? Click here. To download a concert flyer, click here. To download our most recent e-bulletin, click here. Get a taste beforehand....

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