29-492: (Redirected from Empress Theodora ) [REDACTED] Look up Theodora in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Theodora may refer to: Theodora (given name) , a given name of Greek origin, meaning "God's gift" Historical figures known as Theodora [ edit ] Byzantine empresses [ edit ] Theodora (wife of Justinian I) ( c. 500 – 548), saint by
58-527: A brothel, Theodora is frightened, but her mood changes as she contemplates the afterlife. Didymus confesses to his friend and superior officer Septimius that he is a Christian and appeals to the other man's sense of decency. Septimius allows Didymus to visit Theodora. At first Theodora appeals to Didymus to kill her and put an end to her suffering, but instead Didymus persuades her to conceal her identity by putting on his helmet and his uniform and escaping, leaving Didymus in her place. Back at their hideout, Irene and
87-420: A chorus of Christians praying for the mission's success. At the start of the second act the festival in honour of the emperor and the goddesses is being enjoyed by the pagans. Valens sends Septimius to tell Theodora that if she doesn't join in with the festival by the end of the day, he will send his guards to rape her. The crowd expresses their satisfaction at this sentence. In the temple of Venus which serves as
116-407: A composition as ever Handel made. To my knowledge, this took him up a great while in composing. The Town don't like it at all, but ... several excellent musicians think as I do. One of Handel's most loyal and enthusiastic supporters, Mary Delany , wrote to her sister Ann saying "Don't you remember our snug enjoyment of "Theodora?" Her sister replied "Surely "Theodora" will have justice at last, if it
145-507: A soldier secretly converted to Christianity, asks that citizens whose consciences prevent them making sacrifices to idols be spared punishment, which Valens dismisses. Septimius suspects Didymus is a Christian and affirms his own loyalty to the law although he pities those who will be condemned to die by the decree and wishes he could be allowed to extend mercy to them. Theodora, a nobly born Christian and her friend Irene are worshipping with their fellow believers in private rather than joining in
174-422: A synonym of the legume genus Schotia See also [ edit ] All pages with titles containing Theodora Teodora Theodore (disambiguation) Théodore Guérin (Saint Theodora) Thea (name) Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Theodora . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change
203-422: A synonym of the legume genus Schotia See also [ edit ] All pages with titles containing Theodora Teodora Theodore (disambiguation) Théodore Guérin (Saint Theodora) Thea (name) Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Theodora . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change
232-448: A week before the premiere had caused some of Handel's usual patrons to flee the city. It was the least performed of all his oratorios, being revived only once in 1755. Some of Handel's patrons appreciated the work, however. Lord Shaftesbury wrote in a letter to a friend I can't conclude a letter and forget Theodora . I have heard the work three times and will venture to pronounce it as finished, beautiful and labour'd [well worked-out]
261-552: Is a dramatic oratorio in three acts by George Frideric Handel , set to an English libretto by Thomas Morell . The oratorio concerns the Christian martyr Theodora and her Christian-converted Roman lover, Didymus . It had its first performance at Covent Garden Theatre on 16 March 1750. Not popular with audiences in Handel's day, Theodora is now recognised as a masterpiece. It is usually given in concert, being an oratorio, but
290-530: Is also Handel's only dramatic oratorio in English on a Christian subject. Thomas Morell (1703–1784) had worked with Handel before on several oratorios. He and Handel were good friends; the composer left the librettist 200 pounds in his will. Morell's source for the libretto was The Martyrdom of Theodora and of Didymus (1687) by Robert Boyle , a prominent scientist and theologian. He also borrowed from Corneille 's Théodore, Vierge et Martyre . Handel finished
319-466: Is sometimes staged. Handel wrote Theodora during his last period of composition. He was sixty-four years old when he began working on it in June 1749. He had written the oratorios Solomon and Susanna the previous year. Theodora would be his penultimate oratorio. Theodora differs from the former two oratorios because it is a tragedy, ending in the death of the heroine and her converted lover. It
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#1732765570251348-401: The continuo . Handel's music gives the choruses of Roman pagans, presented in the libretto as evil people gloating over the torture of Christians, "immense verve and charm". This is contrasted with the quiet, deep conviction of the music for the choruses of Christians. The chorus "He saw the lovely youth", Handel's favorite of all the choruses he wrote, depicts Jesus' raising from the dead of
377-671: The Christians Scene 4 Enter Messenger Scene 5 Enter Septimius Scene 6 Enter Didymus Scene 7 The 1996 production by William Christie with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the Glyndebourne Festival Chorus , produced by Peter Sellars , was described as a "landmark". Dawn Upshaw sang Theodora, David Daniels sang Didymus, and the execution of each lead character
406-575: The Christians recall the miracle of The Widow of Nain and hope that, should the lovers die, they will find a new life in heaven. As the third part opens the Christians celebrate Theodora's safe return. However she feels guilty that she endangered Didymus's life in order to save her own. A messenger informs them Didymus has been captured and that Valens has changed Theodora's punishment to death. Theodora goes to offer herself in Didymus' place, despite
435-947: The Orthodox Church Theodora (wife of Romanos I) , 10th-century empress Theodora (daughter of Constantine VII) , 10th-century empress, wife of John I Tzimiskes Theodora Porphyrogenita (c. 980–1056), empress regnant in 1042 and 1055–1056 Theodora Palaiologina (Byzantine empress) (c. 1240–1303), wife of Michael VIII Palaiologos Trebizonian empresses [ edit ] Theodora Axuchina , empress consort of Alexios I of Trebizond Theodora of Trebizond (before 1253 – after 1285), empress regnant from 1284 to 1285 Theodora Kantakouzene (c. 1240 – after 1290), empress consort of Alexios III of Trebizond Theodora Kantakouzene (wife of Alexios IV of Trebizond) , empress consort of Alexios IV of Trebizond Others [ edit ] Theodora of Emesa , 5th-century Neoplatonist Flavia Maximiana Theodora , daughter of
464-1025: The Orthodox Church Theodora of Khazaria , 7th-century empress, wife of Justinian II Theodora (wife of Theophilos) , 9th-century empress, saint by the Orthodox Church Theodora (wife of Romanos I) , 10th-century empress Theodora (daughter of Constantine VII) , 10th-century empress, wife of John I Tzimiskes Theodora Porphyrogenita (c. 980–1056), empress regnant in 1042 and 1055–1056 Theodora Palaiologina (Byzantine empress) (c. 1240–1303), wife of Michael VIII Palaiologos Trebizonian empresses [ edit ] Theodora Axuchina , empress consort of Alexios I of Trebizond Theodora of Trebizond (before 1253 – after 1285), empress regnant from 1284 to 1285 Theodora Kantakouzene (c. 1240 – after 1290), empress consort of Alexios III of Trebizond Theodora Kantakouzene (wife of Alexios IV of Trebizond) , empress consort of Alexios IV of Trebizond Others [ edit ] Theodora of Emesa , 5th-century Neoplatonist Flavia Maximiana Theodora , daughter of
493-1516: The Roman emperor Maximian and second wife of emperor Constantius I Episcopa Theodora , mother of Pope Paschal I in the 9th century Theodora (senatrix) , Roman senatrix and mother of Marozia; concubine to Pope Sergius III Theodora Komnene (disambiguation) Theodora Tocco , despoina consort of Constantine, Despot in Morea (later Constantine XI Palaiologos). Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark (1906–1969) , daughter of Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark (born 1983) , daughter of Constantine II of Greece Theodora of Hesse-Darmstadt , daughter of Philip of Hesse-Darmstadt and Duchess consort of Guastalla Theodora Sayn-Wittgenstein (born 1986), German aristocrat Princess Theodora of Liechtenstein (born 2004), Liechtensteiner environmentalist Theodora (Roman martyr) , 2nd-century Christian martyr and saint Theodora and Didymus , early Christian martyrs Theodora of Alexandria , Eastern Orthodox saint Theodora of Arta , 13th-century Empress of Epirus Theodora of Sihla , Romanian Orthodox saint Arts and entertainment [ edit ] Theodora (Handel) , an oratorio by George Frideric Handel Theodora (1914 film) , Italian silent film Theodora (1921 film) , Italian silent film Other uses [ edit ] Theodora Children's Charity , British charity Theodora ,
522-1412: The Roman emperor Maximian and second wife of emperor Constantius I Episcopa Theodora , mother of Pope Paschal I in the 9th century Theodora (senatrix) , Roman senatrix and mother of Marozia; concubine to Pope Sergius III Theodora Komnene (disambiguation) Theodora Tocco , despoina consort of Constantine, Despot in Morea (later Constantine XI Palaiologos). Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark (1906–1969) , daughter of Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark (born 1983) , daughter of Constantine II of Greece Theodora of Hesse-Darmstadt , daughter of Philip of Hesse-Darmstadt and Duchess consort of Guastalla Theodora Sayn-Wittgenstein (born 1986), German aristocrat Princess Theodora of Liechtenstein (born 2004), Liechtensteiner environmentalist Theodora (Roman martyr) , 2nd-century Christian martyr and saint Theodora and Didymus , early Christian martyrs Theodora of Alexandria , Eastern Orthodox saint Theodora of Arta , 13th-century Empress of Epirus Theodora of Sihla , Romanian Orthodox saint Arts and entertainment [ edit ] Theodora (Handel) , an oratorio by George Frideric Handel Theodora (1914 film) , Italian silent film Theodora (1921 film) , Italian silent film Other uses [ edit ] Theodora Children's Charity , British charity Theodora ,
551-403: The Roman scenes. Flutes are introduced in the prison scene, but some arias are very lightly accompanied which raises them far above the text. (Note: "Symphony" in this context means a purely instrumental piece, a sinfonia . "Accompagnato" is a recitative accompanied by the orchestra, rather than by continuo instruments only, as in the passages marked "recitative".) Scene 3 Theodora, with
580-442: The festival for the emperor's birthday when a messenger brings news of Valens' decree. Septimius comes to arrest them – Theodora expects to be put to death but is informed that instead she has been sentenced to serve as a prostitute in the temple of Venus. Theodora would much have preferred to die, but is led away to the temple. Irene informs Didymus who goes in the hope of either rescuing her or dying with her. The first act closes with
609-532: The 💕 [REDACTED] Look up Theodora in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Theodora may refer to: Theodora (given name) , a given name of Greek origin, meaning "God's gift" Historical figures known as Theodora [ edit ] Byzantine empresses [ edit ] Theodora (wife of Justinian I) ( c. 500 – 548), saint by the Orthodox Church Theodora of Khazaria , 7th-century empress, wife of Justinian II Theodora (wife of Theophilos) , 9th-century empress, saint by
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#1732765570251638-467: The link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theodora&oldid=1231449835 " Categories : Disambiguation pages Human name disambiguation pages Disambiguation pages with given-name-holder lists Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Theodora From Misplaced Pages,
667-483: The link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theodora&oldid=1231449835 " Categories : Disambiguation pages Human name disambiguation pages Disambiguation pages with given-name-holder lists Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Theodora (Handel) Theodora ( HWV 68)
696-497: The oratorio on 31 July 1749, and its premiere was on 16 March 1750. Theodora was a failure with the public and only played three times. There are at least two explanations for this. First, the theme of the persecution and martyrdom of a Christian saint may have been too removed from the Old Testament narratives that Londoners had become accustomed to from Handel's dramatic oratorios. Second, an earthquake that transpired about
725-601: The protests of her faithful friend Irene. As Valens sentences Didymus to be executed, Theodora enters demanding that she die and Didymus be saved. Both Didymus and Theodora argue that they should die in place of the other. Septimius is moved by this, and pleads for clemency. Valens, however, condemns both Didymus and Theodora to death and they sing a duet to their immortality. The oratorio is scored for 2 sections of violins, violas, cellos, double basses, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 1 contrabassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, timpani, harpsichord, and organ. A harpsichord and violoncello play
754-525: The widow's son in Luke , chapter 7. Beginning with slow and solemn chromatic figures in a minor key, the music switches to major as the youth returns to life and ends with joy as the boy is restored to his mother. The work is notable for many passages of exalted and radiant beauty as well as for skilled characterisation through music. There are three duets, the last being a sublime piece in which Theodora and Didymus die. Handel uses trumpets, horns, and drums in
783-441: Was never set by Handel, though it was printed. The second scene in act 2 was also subject to several revisions by Handel. The 4th century AD. Valens, the Roman governor of Antioch , issues a decree that in honour of Diocletian 's birthday all citizens will offer sacrifice to Venus , the Roman goddess of love, and Flora , a fertility goddess of the spring, on pain of death, and puts Septimius in charge of enforcing this. Didymus,
812-566: Was room enough to dance there, when that was perform!" Theodora was actually Handel's favorite of his oratorios. The composer himself ranked the final chorus of act 2, "He saw the lovely youth", far beyond" "Hallelujah" in Messiah . It has sometimes been staged as an opera , as in 1996 Glyndebourne and 2009 Salzburg Festival productions. Both of them were recorded and released as DVDs. The original libretto included an extra scene in which Septimius converted to Christianity himself, but it
841-522: Was to be again performed, but the generality of the world have ears and hear not ". There are two surviving quotes of Handel about Theodora . Morell quotes Handel as saying "The Jews will not come to it because it is a Christian story; and the ladies will not come because it is a virtuous one." Handel's colleague Charles Burney took note when two musicians asked for free tickets for Messiah and Handel responded "Oh your servant, meine Herren! you are damnable dainty! you would not go to Theodora – there
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