Handel: Theodora (The Royal Opera)

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 its 1750 premiere 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.

This production depicts explicit violence and sexual harassment, scenes of sexual violence and sexual exploitation, and contains themes of terrorism.

Theodora - Julia Bullock
Irene - Joyce Didonato
Didymus - Jakub Józef Orliński
Septimius - Ed Lyon
Valens - Gyula Orendt
Marcus - Thando Mjandana

Royal Opera Chorus
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Conductor - Harry Bicket

Director - Katie Mitchell
Set Designer - Chloe Lamford
Costume Designer - Sussie Juhlin-Wallén
Lighting Designer - James Farncombe
Movement Director - Sarita Piotrowski

Catalogue numbers: OA1368D (DVD) / OABD7313D (BLU-RAY)

Release Date - May 2023

More information here:

[brookemartin]

Joyce Didonato is So Spectacular I want to see all of her work!. So far I've only seen The Hours in its entirety.

[KWT]

The 1750 production was *not* the only one at Covent Garden: a performance took place there on 5 Mar. 1755.