Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'Oro - Handel: Theodora - Import 3 CD

Credits:

Maxim Emelyanychev, Il Pomo D'Oro

Description:

Handel's late masterpiece oratorio "Theodora" with Joyce DiDonato, who received worldwide acclaim for her album of performances of "Agrippina," Lisette Oropesa, who emerged as a coloratura soprano with a lovely air, and keyboard player & conductor Maxim Emelianichev The Theodora is the pinnacle of an art form that created a creative flow distinct from Handel's earlier works, and it is here that Handel's constantly renewed musical inspiration is inscribed, as he composed this oratorio until the end of his life. The work defies the tragic content of the persecution and martyrdom of Christians and the common wisdom of oratorios, which generally end with a happy ending, but without brilliance or demonstration. While incorporating operatic language, the work is infused with restraint and enthusiasm, portraying the character as an empowering force of human nature. Theodora is a story of love, intolerance, and martyrdom that resonates with current events. But put in the present, it speaks of a thought-provoking society in which political oppression, faith ignored and denied, and violence by authority are all part of the story.The perfect, homogeneous-voiced soprano Lisette Oropesa laments without theatricality as a witness to Theodora's unwavering faith, and the beauty of her tone, embellished with a moving vibrato, expresses death through vocalization and high notes uttered with remarkable flexibility. Her lover, Didymus, is sung by countertenor Paul-Antoine Benos-Diane, whose soft, delicate voice expresses lyricism and passion. Joyce DiDonato sang Irene with her transformative mezzo-soprano voice, acclaimed for her control of voice with a sense of inner tragedy. Michael Spires embodies a superb Septimius, and his musical expression is superb, with an emphasis on his lower register as a tenor. John Chest's rich baritone villain is as loathsome as his character at will. Conductor and harpsichordist Maxim Emelianichev injects phrasing energy into the Il Pomo d'Oro he leads, guiding it toward Handel's tragic outcome, both in forward tempo and ecstatic, deep expression.The most important part of this work is the choir part, which has to express the two most difficult aspects of Christianity and paganism. The original booklet includes a commentary and lyrics (English, German, and French). The original booklet includes a Japanese translation of the commentary and lyrics (English, German, French), and only the imported version handled by Warner Music Japan includes a Japanese translation of the commentary in the original booklet and lyrics.