Lisette Oropesa – Handel: Theodora, HWV 68 (2022) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Lisette Oropesa - Handel: Theodora, HWV 68 (2022) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz] Download

True cast of stars for this recording of Handel’s masterpiece Theodora: Lisette Oropesa in the title role; Joyce DiDonato as Irene; Michael Spyres as Septimius; John Chest as Valens; Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djian as Didymus.

With Il Pomo d’Oro orchestra and choir and conducted by Maxim Emelyanychev.

This follows the acclaimed recording of Agrippina, also with the winning team of Joyce, Maxim, and Il Pomo d’Oro – Gramophone Editor’s Choice of March 2021.

A dramatic oratorio in three acts set to an English libretto by Thomas Morell, Theodora (HWV 68) concerns the Christian martyr Theodora and her Christian-converted Roman lover, Didymus.

“Great critical acclaim for the performances in Europe and at the Royal Opera House; German Opernglas called the cast a “Luxusbesetzung”.

“…the stage is dominated by the almost overwhelming presence of Joyce DiDonato. Physical presence, on the one hand, notably in the visual communication maintained with the choir … Vocal presence, on the other hand, so much the mezzo impresses by the depth of her commitment, the absolute mastery of her singing, the imagination and the audacity of her ornaments. Dramatic presence, one would have to add, by the incredible projection of the text … From a character of little theatrical interest, she ends up being the pillar of the work.” – Res MusicaStudio recordings of opera and oratorio are not so common these days, and the Erato label took a chance with this one, bringing in big-name singers, recording during the COVID-19 pandemic with all its threats of disruptions, and backing a major tour to go with it. As it happens, the gamble paid off as the album rose onto classical best-seller charts in the fall of 2022. It is superb. Despite its initial failure (probably London audiences weren’t familiar with the story of the titular martyr), the oratorio Theodora, HWV 68, has come to be recognized as one of Handel’s late masterpieces, and it was one of the composer’s favorites among his works. Even more than Handel’s other oratorios, this one has operatic qualities and, in fact, has been staged as an opera; there are long stretches where the chorus is silent. It stands or falls on the singers, although the small chorus of the historical-instrument group Il Pomo d’Oro is very fine here, with excellent renderings of the double pagans-and-Christian roles of the chorus. They are a remarkable group. The star is mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato as Theodora’s friend Irene, and she is surrounded by, and nicely counterpointed to, younger singers who are just hitting their strides. Soprano Lisette Oropesa is a standout. She is known for 19th century roles rather than Handel, but her judicious and beautifully controlled application of vibrato, and her presence in general, are arresting. Theodora’s partner in Christian crime, Didymus, is the little-heralded but smooth countertenor Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djian and tenor Michael Spyres as the friend of the hard man Septimus is also very strong, as is the appropriately named John Chest as Valens. Conductor Maxim Emelyanychev keeps the energy level high through three hours of action, contributes an unusually active harpsichord continuo, and draws especially crisp performances from Il Pomo d’Oro. A standout Handel oratorio recording. – James Manheim

Tracklist:

1-1. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68: Overture (02:58)
1-2. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68: Trio (01:45)
1-3. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68: Courante (01:36)
1-4. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 1: Recitative. “Tis Diocletian’s Natal Day” (Valens) (00:30)
1-5. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 1: Air. “Go, My Faithful Soldier, Go” (Valens) (01:52)
1-6. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 1: Chorus. “And Draw a Blessing Down” (Chorus) (02:03)
1-7. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 1: Recitative. “Vouchsafe, Dread Sir” (Didymus, Valens) (01:02)
1-8. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 1: Air. “Racks, Gibbets, Sword and Fire” (Valens) (03:15)
1-9. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 1: Chorus. “For Ever Thus Stands Fix’d the Doom” (Chorus) (01:40)
1-10. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 2: Recitative. “Most Cruel Edict” (Didymus, Septimius) (00:35)
1-11. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 2: Air. “The Raptur’d Soul” (Didymus) (08:12)
1-12. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 2: Recitative. “I Know Thy Virtues” (Septimius) (00:42)
1-13. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 2: Air. “Descend, Kind Pity, Heav’nly Guest” (Septimius) (08:11)
1-14. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 3: Recitative. “Though Hard, My Friends” (Theodora) (00:27)
1-15. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 3: Air. “Fond, Flatt’ring World, Adieu” (Theodora) (04:00)
1-16. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 3: Recitative. “O Bright Example of All Goodness” (Irene) (00:38)
1-17. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 3: Air. “Bane of Virtue” (Irene) (05:51)
1-18. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 3: Chorus. “Come, Mighty Father” (Chorus) (02:29)
1-19. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 4: Recitative. “Fly, Fly, My Brethren” (Messenger, Irene) (01:08)
1-20. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 4: Air. “As with Rosy Steps the Morn” (Irene) (07:18)
1-21. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 4: Chorus. “All Pow’r in Heav’n Above” (Chorus) (02:17)
1-22. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 5: Recitative. “Mistaken Wretches!” (Septimius) (00:20)
1-23. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 5: Air. “Dread the Fruits of Christian Folly” (Septimius) (02:41)
1-24. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 5: Recitative. “Deluded Mortal!” (Theodora, Septimius) (01:02)
1-25. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 5: Accompagnato. “Oh, Worse Than Death Indeed” (Theodora) (00:23)
1-26. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 5: Air. “Angels, Ever Bright and Fair” (Theodora) (03:39)
1-27. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 6: Recitative. “Unhappy, Happy Crew!” (Didymus, Irene) (01:13)
1-28. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 6: Air. “Kind Heav’n, If Virtue Be Thy Care” (Didymus) (05:21)
1-29. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 6: Recitative. “O Love, How Great Thy Pow’r!” (Irene) (00:34)
1-30. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 1 Scene 6: Chorus. “Go, Gen’rous, Pious Youth” (Chorus) (04:41)
1-31. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 1: Recitative. “Ye Men of Antioch” (Valens) (00:33)
1-32. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 1: Chorus. “Queen of Summer, Queen of Love” (Chorus) (00:42)
1-33. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 1: Air. “Wide Spread His Name” (Valens) (02:11)
1-34. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 1: Recitative. “Return, Septimius, to the Stubborn Maid” (Valens) (00:40)
1-35. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 1: Chorus. “Venus, Laughing from the Skies” (Chorus) (01:19)
1-36. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 2: Symphony (00:54)
1-37. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 2: Recitative. “O Thou Bright Sun” (Theodora) (00:35)
1-38. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 2: Air. “With Darkness Deep, as is My Woe” (Theodora) (03:07)
1-39. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 2: Air (01:03)
1-40. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 2: Recitative. “But Why Art Thou Disquieted, My Soul” (Theodora) (00:30)
1-41. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 2: Air. “Oh That I on Wings Could Rise” (Theodora) (03:23)
1-42. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 3: Recitative. “Long Have I Known” (Didymus, Septimius) (01:20)
1-43. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 3: Air. “Though the Honours” (Septimius) (03:12)
1-44. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 3: Recitative. “Oh, Save Her Then” (Didymus, Septimius) (00:38)
1-45. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 3: Air. “Deeds of Kindness to Display” (Didymus) (07:01)
1-46. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 4: Recitative. “The Clouds Begin to Veil” (Irene) (00:40)
1-47. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 4: Air. “Defend Her, Heav’n!” (Irene) (05:46)
1-48. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 5: Recitative. “Or Lull’d With Grief” (Didymus) (00:38)
1-49. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 5: Air. “Sweet Rose and Lily” (Didymus) (02:17)
1-50. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 5: Recitative. “Oh, Save Me, Heav’n” (Theodora, Didymus) (01:33)
1-51. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 5: Air. “The Pilgrim’s Home” (Theodora) (02:58)
1-52. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 5: Accompagnato. “Forbid It, Heav’n!” (Didymus) (00:37)
1-53. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 5: Recitative. “Or Say, What Right Have I to Take” (Didymus, Theodora) (01:58)
1-54. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 5: Duet. “To Thee, Thou Glorious Son of Worth” (Theodora, Didymus) (04:26)
1-55. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 6: Recitative. “’Tis Night” (Irene) (00:47)
1-56. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 2 Scene 6: Chorus. “He Saw the Lovely Youth” (Chorus) (03:42)
1-57. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 1: Air. “Lord, to Thee Each Night and Day” (Irene) (07:04)
1-58. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 2: Recitative. “But See, the Good, the Virtuous Didymus” (Irene, Theodora) (00:38)
1-59. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 2: Air. “When Sunk in Anguish and Despair” (Theodora) (03:36)
1-60. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 2: Theodora and Chorus. “Blest Be the Hand, and Blest the Pow’r” (Theodora, Chorus) (03:39)
1-61. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 3: Recitative. “Undaunted in the Court” (Messenger, Irene) (00:50)
1-62. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 3: Accompagnato. “O My Irene” (Theodora) (00:29)
1-63. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 3: Recitative. “Stay Me Not, Dear Friend” (Theodora) (00:14)
1-64. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 3: Duet. “Whither, Princess, Do You Fly” (Irene, Theodora) (01:12)
1-65. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 3: Recitative. “She’s Gone” (Irene) (00:38)
1-66. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 3: Air. “New Scenes of Joy Come Crowding on” (Irene) (04:17)
1-67. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 4: Recitative. “Is It a Christian Virtue” (Valens, Didymus, Theodora, Septimius) (01:12)
1-68. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 5: Recitative. “Be That My Doom” (Theodora, Septimius) (01:02)
1-69. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 5: Air. “From Virtue Springs Each Gen’rous Deed” (Septimius) (05:45)
1-70. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 5: Air. “Cease, Ye Slaves, Your Fruitless Pray’r” (Valens) (01:02)
1-71. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 5: Recitative. “’Tis Kind, My Friends” (Didymus, Theodora) (01:01)
1-72. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 5: Chorus. “How Strange Their Ends, Yet How Glorious” (Chorus) (02:50)
1-73. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 5: Recitative. “On Me Your Frowns” (Didymus, Theodora, Valens) (00:37)
1-74. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 5: Air. “Ye Ministers of Justice” (Valens) (01:26)
1-75. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 6: Recitative. “And Must Such Beauty Suffer?” (Didymus, Theodora, Septimius) (00:54)
1-76. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 6: Air and Duet. “Streams of Pleasure Ever Flowing” (Didymus, Theodora) (05:37)
1-77. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 7: Recitative. “Ere This, Their Doom is Past” (Irene) (00:30)
1-78. Maxim Emelyanychev – Theodora, HWV 68, Pt. 3 Scene 7: Chorus. “O Love Divine” (Chorus) (02:42)

Download:

mqs.link_Lisette0r0pesaHandelThe0d0raHWV6820222496.part1
mqs.link_Lisette0r0pesaHandelThe0d0raHWV6820222496.part2

Related Posts: