Handel: Theodora

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Label
Ricercar
Release Date
April 24, 2026
Format
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    Featuring
    • COMPOSER
      George Frideric Handel
    • PERFORMER
      Millenium Orchestra, Choeur de Chambre de Namur, Leonardo Garcia-Alarcon
    Product Details
    • RELEASE DATE
      April 24, 2026
    • UPC
      5400439004856
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      RIC485
    • LABEL
      Ricercar
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      3
    • GENRE
    Works
    1. Overture

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    2. Act I Scene 1: Recitative: 'Tis Dioclesian's natal day (Valens)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Andreas Wolf

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    3. Act I Scene 1: Air: Go, my faithful soldier, go (Valens)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Andreas Wolf

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    4. Act I Scene 1: Chorus: And draw a blessing down (Chorus of Heathens)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Chœur de Chambre de Namur, Millenium Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    5. Act I Scene 1: Recitative: Vouchsafe, dread Sir (Didymus, Valens)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Christopher Lowrey, Andreas Wolf

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    6. Act I Scene 1: Air: Racks, gibbets, sword and fire (Valens)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Andreas Wolf

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    7. Act I Scene 1: Chorus: For ever thus stands fix'd the doom (Chorus of Heathens)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Chœur de Chambre de Namur, Millenium Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    8. Act I Scene 2: Recitative: Most cruel edict! (Didymus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Christopher Lowrey

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    9. Act I Scene 2: Air: The raptur'd soul (Didymus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Christopher Lowrey

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    10. Act I Scene 2: Recitative: I know thy virtues, and ask not thy faith (Septimius)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Matthew Newlin

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    11. Act I Scene 2: Air: Descend, kind Pity (Septimius)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Matthew Newlin

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    12. Act I Scene 3: Recitative: Though hard, my friends (Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    13. Act I Scene 3: Air: Fond flatt'ring world, adieu! (Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    14. Act I Scene 3: Recitative: Oh bright example of all goodness (Irene)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Dara Savinova

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    15. Act I Scene 3: Chorus: Come, mighty Father, mighty Lord (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Chœur de Chambre de Namur, Millenium Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    16. Act I Scene 4: Recitative: Fly, fly my brethren (Messenger, Irene)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Frederico Projecto, Dara Savinova

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    17. Act I Scene 4: Air: As With Rosy Steps (Irene)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Dara Savinova

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    18. Act I Scene 4: Chorus: All pow'r in Heaven above, or earth beneath (Chorus of Christians)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Chœur de Chambre de Namur, Millenium Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    19. Act I Scene 5: Recitative: Mistaken wretches, why thus blind to fate (Septimius)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Matthew Newlin

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    20. Act I Scene 5: Air: Dread the fruits of Christian folly (Septimius)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Matthew Newlin

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    21. Act I Scene 5: Recitative: Deluded mortal! (Theodora, Septimius)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Sophie Junker, Matthew Newlin

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    22. Act I Scene 5: Accompagnato: Oh worse than death indeed! (Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    23. Act I Scene 5: Air: Angels, ever bright and fair (Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    24. Act I Scene 6: Recitative: Unhappy, happy crew! (Didymus, Irene)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Christopher Lowrey, Dara Savinova

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    25. Act I Scene 6: Air: Kind Heav'n, if virtue be thy care (Didymus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Christopher Lowrey

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    26. Act I Scene 7: Recitative: O Love, how great thy pow'r! (Irene)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Dara Savinova

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    27. Act I Scene 7: Chorus: Go, gen'rous pious youth! (Chorus of Christians)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Chœur de Chambre de Namur, Millenium Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    28. Act II Scene 1: Recitative: Ye men of Antioch, with solemn pomp (Valens)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Andreas Wolf

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    29. Act II Scene 1: Chorus: Queen of summer, queen of love (Chorus of Heathens)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Chœur de Chambre de Namur, Millenium Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    30. Act II Scene 1: Air: Wide spread his name (Valens)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Andreas Wolf

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    31. Act II Scene 1: Recitative: Return, Septimius, to the stubborn maid (Valens)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Andreas Wolf

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    32. Act II Scene 1: Chorus: Venus laughing from the skies (Chorus of Heathens)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Chœur de Chambre de Namur, Millenium Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    33. Act II Scene 2: Symphony

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    34. Act II Scene 2: Recitative: O thou bright sun! How sweet thy rays (Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    35. Act II Scene 2: Air: With darkness deep (Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    36. Act II Scene 2: Air

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    37. Act II Scene 2: Recitative: But why art thou disquieted, my soul? (Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    38. Act II Scene 2: Air: Oh, that I on wings could rise (Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    39. Act II Scene 3: Recitative: Long have I known thy friendly social soul (Didymus, Septimius)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Christopher Lowrey, Matthew Newlin

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    40. Act II Scene 3: Air: Though the honours, that Flora and Venus receive from the Romans (Septimius)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Matthew Newlin

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    41. Act II Scene 3: Recitative: Oh save her then, or give me pow'r (Didymus, Septimius)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Christopher Lowrey, Matthew Newlin

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    42. Act II Scene 3: Air: Deeds of kindness to display, pity suing (Didymus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Christopher Lowrey

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    43. Act II Scene 4: Recitative: The clouds begin to veil the hemisphere (Irene)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Dara Savinova

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    44. Act II Scene 4: Air: Defend her Heav'n! (Irene)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Dara Savinova

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    45. Act II Scene 5: Recitative: Or lull'd with grief or rapt her soul to heaven (Didymus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Christopher Lowrey

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    46. Act II Scene 5: Air: Sweet Rose and Lily (Didymus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Christopher Lowrey

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    47. Act II Scene 5: Recitative: Oh, save me, Heav'n (Theodora, Didymus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Sophie Junker, Christopher Lowrey

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    48. Act II Scene 5: Air: The pilgrim's home (Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    49. Act II Scene 5: Accompagnato: Forbid it, Heaven! (Didymus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Christopher Lowrey

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    50. Act II Scene 5: Recitative: Or say, what right have I to take what just reflection (Didymus, Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Christopher Lowrey, Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    51. Act II Scene 5: Duet: To thee, thou glorious son of worth (Theodora, Didymus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Sophie Junker, Christopher Lowrey

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    52. Act II Scene 6: Recitative: 'Tis night; but night's sweet blessing (Irene)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Dara Savinova

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    53. Act II Scene 6: Chorus: He saw the lovely youth, death's early prey (Chorus of Christians)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Chœur de Chambre de Namur, Millenium Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    54. Act III Scene 1: Air: Lord, to Thee each night and day (Irene)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Dara Savinova

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    55. Act III Scene 2: Recitative: But see, the good, the virtuous Didymus (Irene, Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Dara Savinova, Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    56. Act III Scene 2: Air: When sunk in anguish and despair (Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    57. Act III Scene 2: Chorus: Blest be the hand, and blest the pow'r (Chorus of Christians, Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Chœur de Chambre de Namur, Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    58. Act III Scene 3: Recitative: Undaunted in the court stands Didymus (Messenger, Irene)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Frederico Projecto, Dara Savinova

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    59. Act III Scene 3: Accompagnato: O My Irene, Heav'n is kind (Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    60. Act III Scene 3: Recitative: Stay me not, dear friend (Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    61. Act III Scene 3: Duet: Whither, Princess, do you fly? (Irene, Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Dara Savinova, Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    62. Act III Scene 3: Recitative: She's gone disdaining liberty and life (Irene)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Dara Savinova

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    63. Act III Scene 3: Air: New scenes of joy (Irene)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Dara Savinova

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    64. Act III Scene 4: Recitative: Is it a Christian virtue (Valens, Didymus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Andreas Wolf, Christopher Lowrey

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    65. Act III Scene 5: Recitative: Be that my doom (Theodora, Septimius)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Sophie Junker, Matthew Newlin

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    66. Act III Scene 5: Air: Cease, ye slaves, your fruitless pray'r (Valens)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Andreas Wolf

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    67. Act III Scene 5: Recitative: 'Tis kind, my friends, but kinder still (Didymus, Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Christopher Lowrey, Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    68. Act III Scene 5: Chorus: How strange their ends (Chorus of Heathens)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Chœur de Chambre de Namur, Millenium Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    69. Act III Scene 5: Recitative: On me your frowns your utmost rage exert (Didymus, Theodora, Valens)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Christopher Lowrey, Sophie Junker, Andreas Wolf

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    70. Act III Scene 5: Air: Ye ministers of justice, lead them hence (Valens)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Andreas Wolf

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    71. Act III Scene 6: Recitative: And must such beauty suffer? (Didymus, Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Christopher Lowrey, Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    72. Act III Scene 6: Air and Duet: Streams of pleasure ever flowing (Didymus, Theodora)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Christopher Lowrey, Sophie Junker

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    73. Act III Scene 7: Recitative: Ere this their doom is past (Irene)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Millenium Orchestra

      Performer: Dara Savinova

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón

    74. Act III Scene 7: Chorus: Oh love devine, thou source of fame (Chorus of Christians)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Chœur de Chambre de Namur, Millenium Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón


The oratorio Theodora was first performed at the Covent Garden Theatre on 16 March 1750 and clearly took Londoners by surprise. Handel had, after all, made a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn in his choice of subject. The grandiose episodes of the Old Testament, the glorious struggles of Solomon, Saul, or Judas Maccabaeus are no more: the young martyr Theodora leads neither a community nor troops into battle. In a work far removed from the grand spectacle of biblical oratorios, Handel invites us to witness the poignant tale of a personal drama, a drama of the beginnings of Christianity fuelled by conscience, faith, and the heartbreak that they cause.