Theodora, oratorio, HWV 68: Act 2. Scene 5.: 'To thee, thou glorious son of wrath'
Theodora, oratorio, HWV 68: Act 2. Scene 5.: ' 'Tis night; but night's sweet blessing is denied'
Theodora, oratorio, HWV 68: Act 2. Scene 5.: 'He saw the lovely youth, death's early prey'
Theodora, oratorio, HWV 68: Act 3. Scene 1.: 'Lord, to Thee, each night and day'
Theodora, oratorio, HWV 68: Act 3. Scene 1.: 'But see, the good, the virtuous Didimus '
Theodora, oratorio, HWV 68: Act 3. Scene 1.: 'Blest be the hand, and blest the power'
Theodora, oratorio, HWV 68: Act 3. Scene 1.: 'Undanted in the court stands Didimus'
Theodora, oratorio, HWV 68: Act 3. Scene 1.: 'Whither, Princess, do you fly?'
Theodora, oratorio, HWV 68: Act 3. Scene 2.: 'It is a Christian virtue then'
Theodora, oratorio, HWV 68: Act 3. Scene 2.: 'Cease, ye slaves, your fruitless prayer'
Theodora, oratorio, HWV 68: Act 3. Scene 2.: 'Tis kind, my friends, but kinder still'
Theodora, oratorio, HWV 68: Act 3. Scene 2.: 'How strange their ends'
Theodora, oratorio, HWV 68: Act 3. Scene 2.: 'On me your frowns your utmost rage exert'
Theodora, oratorio, HWV 68: Act 3. Scene 2.: 'Streams of pleasure ever flowing'
Theodora, oratorio, HWV 68: Act 3. Scene 3.: 'Ere this their doom is past, and they are gone'
Theodora, oratorio, HWV 68: Act 3. Scene 3.: 'Oh love divine, thou source of fame'
It's good to hear Maureen Forrester in her prime. Though famous later in her career as a Mahler specialist, the Canadian contralto made many fine recordings of Baroque music for Vanguard, and this is certainly one of them.... more » However, as a performance of the oratorio it must yield to Nicholas McGegan's superb version on Harmonia Mundi, which is complete and features an even finer lineup of singers. --David Hurwitz« less
It's good to hear Maureen Forrester in her prime. Though famous later in her career as a Mahler specialist, the Canadian contralto made many fine recordings of Baroque music for Vanguard, and this is certainly one of them. However, as a performance of the oratorio it must yield to Nicholas McGegan's superb version on Harmonia Mundi, which is complete and features an even finer lineup of singers. --David Hurwitz