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Handel: Theodora
Julia Bullock (Theodora); Joyce DiDonato (Irene); Jakub Józef Orliński (Didymus); Ed Lyon (Septimius); Gyula Orendt (Valens); Thando Mjandana (Marcus)
Julia Bullock, Joyce DiDonato and Jakub Józef Orliński star in Katie Mitchell’s thrilling new production of Handel’s Theodora in an alternative modern-day reality, Theodora, a religious fundamentalist, plots for the resistance against the Roman occupation. But when her secret plan to destroy the Roman embassy is discovered, she learns the true brutality of her oppressors.
Not heard in Covent Garden since the 18th Century and sung in the original English libretto by Thomas Morell, Theodora is a tour de force for soloists and chorus alike, with ensembles, duets and arias of profound depth and beauty. This new interpretation, conducted by Baroque specialist Harry Bicket, shines a new, feminist light on the story.
DVD
Genre: Opera
Release Date: 01/05/2023
Sound Formats:
Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Subtitles:
Catalogue Number: OA1368D
BLU-RAY
Genre: Opera
Release Date: 01/05/2023
Sound Formats:
Ratio: 16:9
Subtitles:
Catalogue Number: OABD7313D
Conductor(s):
Harry Bicket
Harry Bicket
Orchestra(s):
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Royal Opera Chorus
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Royal Opera Chorus
Artist(s):
Julia Bullock; Joyce DiDonato; Jakub Józef Orliński; Ed Lyon; Gyula Orendt; Thando Mjandana; The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Royal Opera Chorus; Harry Bicket
Julia Bullock; Joyce DiDonato; Jakub Józef Orliński; Ed Lyon; Gyula Orendt; Thando Mjandana; The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Royal Opera Chorus; Harry Bicket
"... bombs, a brothel and a brilliant cast ... Katie Mitchell’s modern-day staging of Handel’s oratorio is probing... [The cast] is one of the finest ever assembled for the work" (The Guardian ★★★★)
"Katie Mitchell’s imaginative vision is blessed with luxury casting" (OperaWire)
"Joyce DiDonato brings both humanity and musical sincerity to the foreground, through her varied tone colour, sensitive ornamentation and because her musical authority is such that we are drawn, no compelled, to listen to the music." (Opera Today)
"Harry Bicket conducts the Opera House orchestra with a fine sense of pacing and style… Julia Bullock’s Theodora is a compelling and passionate tour de force… Joyce DiDonato’s Irene dominates the stage for most of the performance; her emotive singing is as compelling as always " (Gramophone)
"Katie Mitchell’s production is radical... with some stirring theatrical moments" (Evening Standard ★★★★)
"... superbly realised, and like everything I’ve seen from Mitchell it’s inhabited by some of the most convincing characters you’re likely to see on an operatic stage" (The Spectator)
"Harry Bicket is a fluent conductor, making the most of the ample sound of the [Royal] Opera House Orchestra" (The Telegraph ★★★★)
"Joyce DiDonato’s Irene – staunch, unyielding, pausing time and (mercifully) movement in cadenzas where everything falls away ... and continues through soprano Julia Bullock’s severely beautiful Theodora and Ed Lyon’s conflicted Roman soldier Septimius." (The Independent)
"Harry Bickett conducts the excellent ROH orchestra and the fine chorus with great feeling for the score, and never lets the slower tempi sag, for which his singers, solo and choral, show plenty of vocal gratitude… There is good sound and very effective filming." (Musicweb International)
"Mitchell’s trademark directorial tropes appear but are used to stunning effect… Just as Mitchell slows movement almost to stasis, so conductor Harry Bicket is prepared to allow the music not just to breathe but to cease altogether at times. The orchestral playing is tense and immaculate, the choral singing likewise, with much radiance." (Opera Now ★★★★★)
"Katie Mitchell’s imaginative vision is blessed with luxury casting" (OperaWire)
"Joyce DiDonato brings both humanity and musical sincerity to the foreground, through her varied tone colour, sensitive ornamentation and because her musical authority is such that we are drawn, no compelled, to listen to the music." (Opera Today)
"Harry Bicket conducts the Opera House orchestra with a fine sense of pacing and style… Julia Bullock’s Theodora is a compelling and passionate tour de force… Joyce DiDonato’s Irene dominates the stage for most of the performance; her emotive singing is as compelling as always " (Gramophone)
"Katie Mitchell’s production is radical... with some stirring theatrical moments" (Evening Standard ★★★★)
"... superbly realised, and like everything I’ve seen from Mitchell it’s inhabited by some of the most convincing characters you’re likely to see on an operatic stage" (The Spectator)
"Harry Bicket is a fluent conductor, making the most of the ample sound of the [Royal] Opera House Orchestra" (The Telegraph ★★★★)
"Joyce DiDonato’s Irene – staunch, unyielding, pausing time and (mercifully) movement in cadenzas where everything falls away ... and continues through soprano Julia Bullock’s severely beautiful Theodora and Ed Lyon’s conflicted Roman soldier Septimius." (The Independent)
"Harry Bickett conducts the excellent ROH orchestra and the fine chorus with great feeling for the score, and never lets the slower tempi sag, for which his singers, solo and choral, show plenty of vocal gratitude… There is good sound and very effective filming." (Musicweb International)
"Mitchell’s trademark directorial tropes appear but are used to stunning effect… Just as Mitchell slows movement almost to stasis, so conductor Harry Bicket is prepared to allow the music not just to breathe but to cease altogether at times. The orchestral playing is tense and immaculate, the choral singing likewise, with much radiance." (Opera Now ★★★★★)
Julia Bullock (Theodora); Joyce DiDonato (Irene); Jakub Józef Orliński (Didymus); Ed Lyon (Septimius); Gyula Orendt (Valens); Thando Mjandana (Marcus)
Julia Bullock, Joyce DiDonato and Jakub Józef Orliński star in Katie Mitchell’s thrilling new production of Handel’s Theodora in an alternative modern-day reality, Theodora, a religious fundamentalist, plots for the resistance against the Roman occupation. But when her secret plan to destroy the Roman embassy is discovered, she learns the true brutality of her oppressors.
Not heard in Covent Garden since the 18th Century and sung in the original English libretto by Thomas Morell, Theodora is a tour de force for soloists and chorus alike, with ensembles, duets and arias of profound depth and beauty. This new interpretation, conducted by Baroque specialist Harry Bicket, shines a new, feminist light on the story.
DVD
Genre: Opera
Release Date: 01/05/2023
Sound Formats:
Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Subtitles:
Catalogue Number: OA1368D
BLU-RAY
Genre: Opera
Release Date: 01/05/2023
Sound Formats:
Ratio: 16:9
Subtitles:
Catalogue Number: OABD7313D
Conductor(s):
Harry Bicket
Harry Bicket
Orchestra(s):
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Royal Opera Chorus
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Royal Opera Chorus
Artist(s):
Julia Bullock; Joyce DiDonato; Jakub Józef Orliński; Ed Lyon; Gyula Orendt; Thando Mjandana; The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Royal Opera Chorus; Harry Bicket
Julia Bullock; Joyce DiDonato; Jakub Józef Orliński; Ed Lyon; Gyula Orendt; Thando Mjandana; The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Royal Opera Chorus; Harry Bicket
"... bombs, a brothel and a brilliant cast ... Katie Mitchell’s modern-day staging of Handel’s oratorio is probing... [The cast] is one of the finest ever assembled for the work" (The Guardian ★★★★)
"Katie Mitchell’s imaginative vision is blessed with luxury casting" (OperaWire)
"Joyce DiDonato brings both humanity and musical sincerity to the foreground, through her varied tone colour, sensitive ornamentation and because her musical authority is such that we are drawn, no compelled, to listen to the music." (Opera Today)
"Harry Bicket conducts the Opera House orchestra with a fine sense of pacing and style… Julia Bullock’s Theodora is a compelling and passionate tour de force… Joyce DiDonato’s Irene dominates the stage for most of the performance; her emotive singing is as compelling as always " (Gramophone)
"Katie Mitchell’s production is radical... with some stirring theatrical moments" (Evening Standard ★★★★)
"... superbly realised, and like everything I’ve seen from Mitchell it’s inhabited by some of the most convincing characters you’re likely to see on an operatic stage" (The Spectator)
"Harry Bicket is a fluent conductor, making the most of the ample sound of the [Royal] Opera House Orchestra" (The Telegraph ★★★★)
"Joyce DiDonato’s Irene – staunch, unyielding, pausing time and (mercifully) movement in cadenzas where everything falls away ... and continues through soprano Julia Bullock’s severely beautiful Theodora and Ed Lyon’s conflicted Roman soldier Septimius." (The Independent)
"Harry Bickett conducts the excellent ROH orchestra and the fine chorus with great feeling for the score, and never lets the slower tempi sag, for which his singers, solo and choral, show plenty of vocal gratitude… There is good sound and very effective filming." (Musicweb International)
"Mitchell’s trademark directorial tropes appear but are used to stunning effect… Just as Mitchell slows movement almost to stasis, so conductor Harry Bicket is prepared to allow the music not just to breathe but to cease altogether at times. The orchestral playing is tense and immaculate, the choral singing likewise, with much radiance." (Opera Now ★★★★★)
"Katie Mitchell’s imaginative vision is blessed with luxury casting" (OperaWire)
"Joyce DiDonato brings both humanity and musical sincerity to the foreground, through her varied tone colour, sensitive ornamentation and because her musical authority is such that we are drawn, no compelled, to listen to the music." (Opera Today)
"Harry Bicket conducts the Opera House orchestra with a fine sense of pacing and style… Julia Bullock’s Theodora is a compelling and passionate tour de force… Joyce DiDonato’s Irene dominates the stage for most of the performance; her emotive singing is as compelling as always " (Gramophone)
"Katie Mitchell’s production is radical... with some stirring theatrical moments" (Evening Standard ★★★★)
"... superbly realised, and like everything I’ve seen from Mitchell it’s inhabited by some of the most convincing characters you’re likely to see on an operatic stage" (The Spectator)
"Harry Bicket is a fluent conductor, making the most of the ample sound of the [Royal] Opera House Orchestra" (The Telegraph ★★★★)
"Joyce DiDonato’s Irene – staunch, unyielding, pausing time and (mercifully) movement in cadenzas where everything falls away ... and continues through soprano Julia Bullock’s severely beautiful Theodora and Ed Lyon’s conflicted Roman soldier Septimius." (The Independent)
"Harry Bickett conducts the excellent ROH orchestra and the fine chorus with great feeling for the score, and never lets the slower tempi sag, for which his singers, solo and choral, show plenty of vocal gratitude… There is good sound and very effective filming." (Musicweb International)
"Mitchell’s trademark directorial tropes appear but are used to stunning effect… Just as Mitchell slows movement almost to stasis, so conductor Harry Bicket is prepared to allow the music not just to breathe but to cease altogether at times. The orchestral playing is tense and immaculate, the choral singing likewise, with much radiance." (Opera Now ★★★★★)
