HANDEL: Theodora.(Review)

HANDEL: Theodora [] Zomer, Rasker; Buwalda, Schoch, Sol; Kolner Kammerchor, Collegium Cartusianum, Neumann. English and German text. MDG 3321019-2 (3) (Koch, dist.)

Although Theodora was Handel's favorite oratorio, he had little hope for its initial reception, fearing that "the Jews will not come because it is a Christian story, and the ladies will not come because it is a virtuous one." It was in fact poorly received (for these or other reasons), but nowadays no one seems to object to the story's content or its moral tone. In the past ten years alone, a video and five recordings have been issued, and while conductor Peter Neumann's rendition may not boast the solo power of the accounts by Paul McCreesh, William Christie or Nicholas McGegan, he dearly feels this music deeply and brings tenderness and care to the instrumental and choral forces, especially in the fugal movements and in ...