Nicholas McGegan, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Berkeley Chamber Chorus - George Frideric Handel: Theodora (1992)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 761 Mb | Total time: 73:42+53:28+42:25 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Harmonia Mundi | # HMU 907060.62 | Recorded: 1992
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 761 Mb | Total time: 73:42+53:28+42:25 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Harmonia Mundi | # HMU 907060.62 | Recorded: 1992
The recent Glyndbourne staging of this oratorio demonstrated how well it worked as an opera, and this recording by Nicholas McGegan creates a similar dramatic intensity out of the tragic story of oppression and resistance. He finds excellent tempi for the arias, and keeps the recitatives cracking along at a good pace. And though he has a very good ensemble team of soloists, the star of the show is definitely soprano Lorraine Hunt (who, interestingly enough, sang the mezzo role of Irene for Glyndebourne) as Theodora. She uses the rich, throaty quality of her voice to bring out all the terrible pathos of Theodora's plight, while still suggesting that she is a character lit by an inner fire of joy. Unfortunately the acoustic lacks a certain bloom, and this makes the sound world sometimes seem a little flat and dry.