Initially a failure when first performed in London in 1750, 'Theodora' has proved to be one of Handel's most enduring and compassionate masterpieces - a work of introspective depth about the redemptive power of tolerance. Theodora's determination to die in defence of her religious freedom offers her the promise of eternal salvation. In this acclaimed Viennese production, award-winning stage director Stefan Herheim contrasts Theodora's self-sacrifice with the lack of spiritual direction of our own times. La Folia Barockorchester and the Arnold Schoenberg Chor are conducted by the acclaimed countertenor and Handel specialist Bejun Mehta.

Initially a failure when first performed in London in 1750, 'Theodora' has proved to be one of Handel's most enduring and compassionate masterpieces - a work of introspective depth about the redemptive power of tolerance. Theodora's determination to die in defence of her religious freedom offers her the promise of eternal salvation. In this acclaimed Viennese production, award-winning stage director Stefan Herheim contrasts Theodora's self-sacrifice with the lack of spiritual direction of our own times. La Folia Barockorchester and the Arnold Schoenberg Chor are conducted by the acclaimed countertenor and Handel specialist Bejun Mehta.

Almost three hundred years ago, the legendary opera librettist Pietro Metastasio was inspired to write dramatic verse on the Olympic Games, the mother of all festivals. It's perfection was renowned, and more than 70 composers set it to music. One of the first of these was Antonio Vivaldi, whose Olimpiade was a great success at it's premiere on 17 February 1734 in Venice. Once again, the audience was witness to a brilliant comedy of errors, which was not only based on the ever-popular role reversal, but also brings into play the power of the oracle and the "sportsman's" competition for the hand of a beautiful woman. A happy ending is guaranteed, as was the case at the Innsbruck Festival 2023, thanks to the original production and, above all, the infectious music of the Prete Rosso Vivaldi.