Handel - Theodora / Hunt, Minter, Lane, J. Thomas, D. Thomas; McGegan
The failure of Handel'sTheodoraapparently didn't faze the composer at all. He told the librettist that "The Jews won't come because it is a Christian story, and the ladies won't come because it is a virtuous one!" It's a great line. He also said that the music would sound better in an empty hall, and whether you accept that or not, there's no question that this late work is a masterpiece. It was also Handel's favorite oratorio, and this is quite simply the finest performance of it available.--David Hurwitz