Handel's Theodora celebrates its premiere
Handel's oratorio Theodora, a work about religious tolerance, Christian virtues and humanistic values, was the second production of the 23/24 season to premiere yesterday. Director Stefan Herheim staged this "beacon of music theatre history" and transformed the stage of Halle E into a monumental coffee house cathedral. Countertenor Bejun Mehta made his conducting debut with the La Folia Baroque Orchestra.
The audience thanked everyone involved - Jacquelyn Wagner in the title role, Christopher Lowrey as Didymus, David Portillo as Septimius, Evan Hughes as Valens and Julie Boulianne as Irene as well as the Arnold Schoenberg Choir - with long-lasting applause.
Theodora can be seen until 29 October.