The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-05-11

The performance of Handers "Theodora,'
by the Haydn Association, will be an occasion
of unusual musical interest. This admirable.
oratorio has lain unregarded since its first
renditions in March, 1750-the year following
that in which it was wrtten-until 1860, when
it was once performed at Cologne, under the
leadership of DR.. Ferdinand Hitler; and again
in England in 1873. 1t is, therefore, aproof of
the enterprise and apprecistive interest in
music of the Haydns that they selected this
work for presentation. 1t will be found to be
composition pleasing to both popular and criti-
cal taste; in less weighty and severe manner
than the Messiah" Samson" and others of
the colossal works by which Handel is best
known, it occupies In its style of treatment
middle ground between his "Acs and Galatea"
and similar cantatas, and his oratorios of which
the text is more or less directly taken from
scripture. Not unfrequently is the nearer re-
minded too of some of the beautiful airs which
alone remain to memory out of the fifty operas
-Rinaldo, Lucio Vero, Rodelinda-names con-
nected at present with some one stately song
seldom heard, but which once were the mode
Of the day and played to crowded houses night
~. Written for the fashion of the time, they
too passed-leaving only for US gems whose
Anticipated setting has fallen away.
In Theodore" the composer was as usual
unlucky in his librettist-who. an authority
has said, was DR.. Morel-and from its resem-
blance to some of the painful and pompous
utterances of this poet, it seems probable that
to him Handel owed this opportunity of rising
above his text. The argument of the oratoro
is simple one; Valens, the President of
Antioch, proclaims feast in honor of Diocle-
tian. Theodore, a princess of the line of
Antiochus, is devoted Christian and refusing
to join in the heather sacrifices, is imprisoned.
Didimus, a Roman officer, has been converted
b. her influence, and has also deep affection
for her. His friend and ellow-oficer, Septi-
mius-who, although himself Pagan, pities
the sad fate OF Theodore, gains access for
Didimus to the prison. At the entreaty Of
Didimus, Theodore changes Iher dress for his,
and returns to her people. Didimus is then
condemned to death, and Theodore hastens to
save him by offering her life for hs-but the
tyrant Valens sentences them both to death.
and they are led away to execution, amid the
laments mingled with rejoicing faith of the
believers. The original story is to be found,
says Butler in his "Lives of the Saints,'' in the
writings of st. Ambrose.
The characters are individual and we'll con.
trasted; Theodore (soprano), Irene, her conf
dante (contralto), Didimus (contralto), Septi-
mius (tenore), and Valens (basso), with choruses
of Christians and Pagans. The overture is ex-
ceedingly interesting, and is notably fine, even
among those of its composer. Among the airs
is the familiar and always lovely "Angels ever
bright and fair;'' while the song of Irene Lord
to thee each night and day. can scarcely be
counted second 10 it in beauty and fervor.
Handel himself is said to have considered the
chorus HE saw the lovely YOUTH" one of his
finest efforts in choral composition even ex-
ceeding in worth his inspired and inspiring
"Hallelujah;" and acquaintance with the pious
meditative chorus which records the raising of /
the son of the widow of Main; its noble man |
ner, its intense feeling, the mingled solemnity |
and fire which fill it-tends to confirm concur
renee in the opinion which the composer him.
self passed upon his own work.
1t is understood that the selection of til, |
fine oratorio for present rendition by theHaydns |
was in part the result of the counsel of an ex. |
perenced amateur, who retains in later age the |
freshness of interest in musical matters which |
has characterized his earlier years, and whose |
suggestion was gladly adopted by the govern |
ment of the society. who have earnestly at |
heart the musical welfare of Portland.