Prom 74: Handel's Theodora – 7.09.18

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:00
Royal Albert Hall

George Frideric Handel: Theodora

Louise Alder Theodora
Iestyn Davies Didymus
Benjamin Hulett Septimius
Ann Hallenberg Irene
Valens
Arcangelo
Jonathan Cohen conductor


In a battle between love and faith, which will triumph? Following the success of last year’s Israel in Egypt, the Proms continues its journey through Handel’s oratorios with the composer’s own favourite and one of the most powerfully dramatic works he ever produced.

An all-star cast is led by Louise Alder and Iestyn Davies as tragic lovers Theodora and Didymus. Jonathan Cohen directs his period ensemble Arcangelo.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

. . . the Proms continues its journey through Handel’s oratorios . . .

I rather like the sound of this.


Also, with discussions about the audibility of the harpsichord in the RAH, it will be interesting to hear.

[BBMmk2]

Looking forward to this!

[edashtav]

Looking forward to this!

So am I, bbm :one of Handel’s finer oratorios packed with wonderful arias and some striking Choral music. I love Jonathan Cohen’s work with Arcangelo ( I bought their Hyperion CD of Charpentier, recently, and rate it very highly.) The Beeb has splashed out on an exciting bunch of soloists. What’s not to like?

TONIGHT AT 19.00 IS YOUR FIRST CHANCE TO HEAR THIS TREAT!

[doversoul1]

This is sounding great. Iestyn Davies gets better every time I hear him. I so much prefer oratorios just sung. Jonathan Cohen and Arcangelo are as excellent as ever.

[bluestateprommer]

This is sounding great. Iestyn Davies gets better every time I hear him. I so much prefer oratorios just sung. Jonathan Cohen and Arcangelo are as excellent as ever.

Indeed, this is very, very good so far (and I do not count myself a Handel oratorio aficionado at all). Certainly a "non-populist" choice for what some might call "the real Last Night".

[doversoul1]

… and it was a most interesting interval during which Louise Fryer uttered probably no more than 20 words. Hint, hint….

[ardcarp]

Such a shame that BBC4 didn't have the courage to screen it live. As it is we got effing tangos. I've nothing against the tango. But after 20 mins I was tangoed out. I also felt the RAH audience was a trifle luke-warm at a pianist and bandoneon player staring at the dots, and the Britten Sinfonia doing its best to let its hair down. It must have taken a fair chunk out of the life of whoever did all the arrangements. Surely not Astor himself?

PS Just read the Tango Prom thread. Seems others felt the same as I.

[edashtav]

Indeed, this is very, very good so far (and I do not count myself a Handel oratorio aficionado at all). Certainly a "non-populist" choice for what some might call "the real Last Night".

My evening was was unexpectedly interrupted after 50 golden minutes. What I heard was splendid but I shall have to pick up the story on iPlayer after the Proms have finished.

[BBMmk2]

Looking forward to this!

I never doubted that this would be anything but an excellent show of Handel at his very best. Everything about this work came over in leaps and bounds. I also didn't mind at all what the Prom talk or the presenter said about the work, as I don't know it very well. it certainly enhanced this listener's enjoyment.

Quite agree Ardcarp, with a number of these proms, would have been a better experience visually as opposed to aurally.

[Constantbee]

I also didn't mind at all what the Prom talk or the presenter said about the work, as I don't know it very well. it certainly enhanced this listener's enjoyment.

[David-G]

I was at the front of the Arena and enjoyed the performance very much. However, I did feel that there was a problem with Irene (Ann Hallenberg). At Glyndebourne this role was played with searing intensity by the unforgettable Lorraine Hunt Lieberson. Here Hallenberg sang very nicely, but I did not feel any searing intensity - I could hear Lorraine Hunt in my head, and the difference was palpable. At Glyndebourne Irene was the strongest character, and the diminishment of this role for me could not help diminishing my perception of the whole.

Listening to Irene's first aria "Bane of virtue - Prosperity" on the iplayer, and comparing it with Lorraine Hunt on youtube, is very interesting - it is evident that in the Prom performance this aria has been severely cut, the B section and the repeat were absent. In the hall I felt that this aria went for nothing, whereas I have a vivid memory of it from Glyndebourne as a highlight. I wonder if other arias were reduced also.

This was a wonderful concert, but I felt that the emotional punch was blunted.

If you have never heard Lorraine Hunt in Theodora, just listen to this and you will see what I mean:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQlt1UxjvWU

[Pegleg]

I wonder if Mr. Handel himself could have asked for a better Irene than Lorraine Hunt Lieberson. While it’s natural to make comparisons, it’s a little harsh to single out Anne Hallenberg for lack of emotional intensity when that criticism could be levelled more widely.

On the radio, it was the chorus that excelled, no doubt with their number suitably bolstered for the hall. The soloists were all very very good, but it did not stir my emotions in the way this work really should. Perhaps it was all down to direction.

I had this version of the libretto on screen http://opera.stanford.edu/iu/libretti/theodora.htm and while I can’t comment on which arias may have lacked of repeats, there did seem to be a couple of arias that were not sung at all.

Let’s celebrate Lorraine Hunt Lieberson singing “Lord, to Thee each night and day” at the beginning of Act Three: https://youtu.be/w2bmIkljjqY

[doversoul1]

Sunday 6th Janusry

Another chance to hear Handel's Theodora with Louise Alder as Theodora and Arcangelo directed by Jonathan Cohen.
Presented by Donald Macleod from the Royal Albert Hall, London.

Handel Theodora
Louise Alder (soprano) Theodora
Iestyn Davies (counter-tenor) Didymus
Benjamin Hulett (tenor) Septimius
Ann Hallenberg (mezzo-soprano) Irene
Tareq Nazmi (bass) Valens
Arcangelo Chorus
Arcangelo
Jonathan Cohen (conductor)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0001wy3

[Tarantella]

Absolutely wonderful, but what is the orchestra please?