My friend, Betsy, and I enjoy edgy classical music – and this qualified. We put it in our calendars without much discussion and arrived at the theater each thinking the other had purchased tickets. Neither did, but we did squeak in when a few no-shows materialized. Northwestern is likely the best know school for performing arts in the U.S. Now, they have built a monument to their success and the generosity of their alums – the Ryan Center for the Musical Arts.
Original of Handel's score - note that almost all notes are on the top line or above the staff.
Handel’s oratorios are beautiful, but repetitive. The style is bel canto, with lots of embellishment to the scored music. Experienced performers usually create their own interpretations, but this production was students – and fine they were, with no additional embellishment. The only questionable casting was the role of Theodora’s lover, Didymus. This is trouser role for a mezzo. Her voice was fine, but her slight build conveyed no gravitas to her grim role.
Theodora was written for three acts. This production had two, and was over in less than two hours, including intermission. Just the right length before the repetition drove us crazy. A beautiful production with outstanding young performers.