Organization

Erin Helyard

Opera Australia

Pinchgut Opera

Conductor

Singer

Soprano

Samantha Clarke

Theodora

Countertenor

Christopher Lowrey

Dydimus

Mezzo-soprano

Helen Sherman

Irene

Tenor

Michael Petruccelli

Septimus

Bass-baritone

David Greco

Valens

Cantillation

Orchestra of Antipodes

English

Theodora in Concert

Sydney City

Australia

Sydney Opera House

Joan Sutherland Theatre

Public

Private

Approved

Theodora in Concert: Theodora Händel

How strange their ends, and yet how glorious!
The Messiah might be Handel’s most famous work, but the composer himself held Theodora in higher esteem.

Judge for yourself which oratorio deserves the title of Handel’s greatest masterpiece when Pinchgut Opera and Opera Australia join forces to present Theodora in concert.

A series of sublime arias and powerful choruses, Theodora is a heavenly musical experience. Set in ancient Rome, it follows the plight of a courageous woman and bold young soldier who risk everything in the face of a tyrannical power.

This milestone collaboration with Pinchgut Opera is the first time the acclaimed Baroque specialists have performed in the Joan Sutherland Theatre.

It’s a wonderful chance to see the Orchestra of the Antipodes in their element, performing on period instruments, with Pinchgut’s charismatic director Erin Helyard leading from the harpsichord, and Cantillation as the chorus. Pinchgut has assembled a cast of early music specialists, including countertenor Christopher Lowrey who reprises his acclaimed performance of Didymus which he first sang in Pinchgut’s fully staged production of Theodora in December 2016.

Theodora in Concert by Georg Friedrich Händel, From (2024/2024), Conductor Erin Helyard

Credits (Cast & Crew)

Opera Australia

Erin Helyard

Cast

Samantha Clarke

Christopher Lowrey

Helen Sherman

Michael Petruccelli

David Greco

Ensemble

Cantillation

Orchestra of Antipodes

Co-Producer

Pinchgut Opera

Program, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues