Handel Theodora (HWV 68, 1750)

Original source for this web page:
http://opera.stanford.edu/iu/libretti/theodora.htm

Georg Friedrich Händel

THEODORA

HWV 68

(1750)

Oratorio in three parts

Words by Thomas Morell
based on
The Martyrdom of Theodora and Didymus
by Robert Boyle

YouTube playlist

George Frideric Handel Theodora (HWV 68, 1750)

@Wikipedia, @IMSLP, YouTube playlist
Performance and video information
Conductor	William Christie	Ivor Bolton	tag-3	tag-4	tag-5	tag-6
Orchestra	Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment	Freiburger Barockorchester	tag-3	tag-4	tag-5	tag-6
Director	Peter Sellars	Stage: Christof Loy Video: Hannes Rossacher	tag-3	tag-4	tag-5	tag-6
Chorus	The Glyndebourne Chorus	Salzburger Bachchor	tag-3	tag-4	tag-5	tag-6
Venue	Glyndebourne	Salzburg Festival Großes Festspielhaus	tag-3	tag-4	tag-5	tag-6
Performance date	1996	2009	tag-3	tag-4	tag-5	tag-6
Subtitles			tag-3	tag-4	tag-5	tag-6
Performance duration	3:27:45	3:07:17	tag-3	tag-4	tag-5	tag-6
Video type	1080p HD 4:3	720p HD 16:9	tag-3	tag-4	tag-5	tag-6
YouTube uploader	ARv4	Ringmaster Daughter	tag-3	tag-4	tag-5	tag-6
YouTube upload date	2014-04-08	2014-12-13	tag-3	tag-4	tag-5	tag-6
YouTube deletion date	tag-1	tag-2	tag-3	tag-4	tag-5	tag-6
Dramatis Personæ
Theodora, a Christian of noble birth (soprano)	Dawn Upshaw (soprano)	Christine Schäfer
Didymus, a Roman Officer, converted & in love with Theodora (alto)	David Daniels (countertenor)	Bejun Mehta
Septimius, his friend (tenor)	Richard Croft (tenor)	Joseph Kaiser
Valens, President of Antioch (bass)	Frode Olsen (bass)	Johannes Martin Kränzle
Irene, a Christian (mezzo-soprano)	Lorraine Hunt (mezzo-soprano)	Bernarda Fink
Messenger	Michael Hart-Davis	Ryland Davies
Chorus of Christians
Chorus of Heathens
Libretto and links
Libretto - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Glyndebourne Christie 1996 review	Salzburg Bolton 2009
1. Overture	Glynde-1 Glynde-1/slow Glynde-1/fast	1-Bolton 1/curtain_rises-Bolton 1/slow-Bolton 1/fast-Bolton
ACT ONE
Scene 1
Valens, Didymus, Septimius, Chorus of Heathens.
2. Recitative Valens ‘Tis Dioclesian’s natal day. Proclaim throughout the bounds of Antioch A feast, and solemn sacrifice to Jove. Whoso disdains to join the sacred rites, Shall feel our wrath in chastisement, or death. And this, Septimius, take you in charge.	Glynde-2	2/Valens-Bolton
3. Air Valens Go, my faithful soldier, go: Let the fragrant incense rise, To Jove, great ruler of the skies.	Glynde-3/Spoken (Glynde-3) Glynde-3	(3/Valens/Go-Bolton) 3/Valens/Go-Bolton
4. Chorus of Heathens And draw a blessing down, On his imperial crown, Who rules the world below.	(Glynde-4) Glynde-4	(4/Heathens/And-Bolton) 4/Heathens/And-Bolton
5. Recitative Didymus Vouchsafe, dread Sir, a gracious ear To my request. Let not thy sentence doom To racks and flames, all, all, whose scrup’lous minds Will not permit them, or, to bend the knee To gods they know not, or, in wanton mood, To celebrate the day with Roman rites. Valens Art thou a Roman, and yet dar’st defend A sect, rebellious to the gods and Rome? Didymus Many there are in Antioch, who disdain An idol-offering, yet are friends to Cæsar. Valens It cannot be. They are not Cæsar’s friends, Who own not Cæsar’s gods. I’ll hear no more.	Glynde-5	5-Bolton
6. Air Valens Racks, gibbets, sword and fire, Shall speak my vengeful ire, Against the stubborn knee. Nor gushing tears, Nor ardent pray’rs, Shall shake our firm decree. Racks, gibbets. . . da capo Exit Valens.	(Glynde-6) Glynde-6 (Glynde-6/Nor) Glynde-6/Nor	(6/Valens/Racks-Bolton) 6/Valens/Racks-Bolton (6/Valens/Nor-Bolton) 6/Valens/Nor-Bolton 6/Valens/Racks-Bolton
7. Chorus of Heathens For ever thus stands fix’d the doom, Of rebels to the gods and Rome, While sweeter than the trumpet’s sound, Their groans and cries are heard around.	(Glynde-7) Glynde-7	(7/Heathens/For-Bolton) 7/Heathens/For-Bolton
Scene 2
8. Recitative Didymus Most cruel edict! Sure, thy generous soul, Septimius, abhors the dreadful task Of persecution. Ought we not to leave The free-born mind of man still ever free? Since vain is the attempt to force belief With the severest instrument of death?	(Glynde-8) Glynde-8	8/Didymus-Bolton
9. Air Didymus The raptur’d soul defies the sword, Secure of virtue’s claim, And trusting Heav’n’s unerring word, Enjoys the circling flame. No engine can a tyrant find, To storm the truth-supported mind. The raptur’d soul. . . da capo	(Glynde-9) Glynde-9	(9/Didymus/The-Bolton) 9/Didymus/The-Bolton
10. Recitative Septimius I know thy virtues, and ask not thy faith; Enjoy it as you will, my Didymus. Though not a Christian, for I worship still The gods my fathers worship’d, yet I own, Something within declares for acts of mercy. But Antioch’s President must be obey’d; Such is the Roman discipline, while we Can only pity, whom we dare not spare.	Glynde-10	10/Septimius-Bolton
11. Air Septimius Descend, kind pity, heav’nly guest, Descend, and fill each human breast With sympathizing woe. That liberty, and peace of mind, May sweetly harmonize mankind, And bless the world below. Descend. . . da capo	(Glynde-11) Glynde-11 Glynde-11/That	(11/Septimius/Descend-Bolton) 11/Septimius/Descend-Bolton 11/Septimius/That-Bolton (11/Septimius/Descend-Bolton) 11/Septimius/Descend-Bolton
Scene 3
Theodora, with the Christians.
12. Recitative Theodora Though hard, my friends, yet wholesome are the truths, Taught in affliction’s school, whence the pure soul Rises refin’d, and soars above the world.	(Glynde-12) Glynde-12	12/Theodora-Bolton
13. Air Theodora Fond, flatt’ring world, adieu! Thy gaily-smiling pow’r, Empty treasures, Fleeting pIeasures, Ne’er shall tempt or charm me more. Faith inviting, Hope delighting, Nobler joys we now pursue.	(Glynde-13) Glynde-13 Glynde-13/Faith	(13/Theodora/Fond-Bolton) 13/Theodora/Fond-Bolton (13/Theodora/Faith-Bolton) 13/Theodora/Faith-Bolton 13/Theodora/Fond-Bolton 13/ritornello-Bolton
14. Recitative Irene O bright example of all goodness! How easy seems affliction’s heavy load, While thus instructed, and companion’d thus, As ‘twere with Heav’n conversing, we look down On the vain pomp of proud prosperity.	Glynde-14	14/Irene-Bolton
15. Air Irene Bane of virtue, nurse of passions, Soother of vile inclinations, Such is, prosperity, thy name. True happiness is only found, Where grace and truth and love abound, And pure religion feeds the flame. Bane of virtue. . . da capo	(Glynde-15) Glynde-15 Glynde-15/True
16. Chorus of Christians Come, mighty Father, mighty Lord, With love our souls inspire, While grace and truth flow from thy word, And feed the holy fire.	(Glynde-16) Glynde-16 (Glynde-16/While) Glynde-16/While	(16/Christians/Come-Bolton) 16/Christians/Come-Bolton (16/Christians/While-Bolton) 16/Christians/While-Bolton
Scene 4
Enter Messenger.
17. Recitative Messenger Fly, fly, my brethren, heathen rage pursues us swift. Arm’d with the terrors of insulting death. Irene Ah! Whither should we fly, or fly from whom? The Lord is still the same, today, for ever, And his protection here, and everywhere. Though gath’ring round our destin’d heads The storm now thickens, and looks big with fate, Still shall thy servants wait on Thee, O Lord, And in thy saving mercy put their trust.	Glynde-17	17-Bolton
18. Air Irene As with rosy steps the morn, Advancing, drives the shades of night, So from virtuous toil well-borne, Raise Thou our hopes of endless light. Triumphant saviour, Lord of day, Thou art the life, the light, the way! As with rosy steps. . . da capo	(Glynde-18) Glynde-18 (Glynde-18) Glynde-18	(18/Irene/As-Bolton) 18/Irene/As-Bolton (18/Irene/Triumphant-Bolton) 18/Irene/Triumphant-Bolton (18/Irene/As-Bolton) 18/Irene/As-Bolton (18/ritornello-Bolton)
19. Chorus of Christians All pow’r in Heav’n above or earth beneath Belongs to Thee alone, Thou Everlasting One, Mighty to save in perils, storm and death.	Glynde-19/All Glynde-19/Mighty	19/All-Bolton 19/Mighty-Bolton
Scene 5
Enter Septimius.
20. Recitative Septimius Mistaken wretches! Why thus blind to fate, Do ye in private oratories dare Oppose the President’s decree, and scorn With native rites to celebrate the day Sacred to Cæsar and protecting Jove?	Glynde-20	20-Bolton
21. Air Septimius Dread the fruits of Christian folly, And this stubborn melancholy Fond of life and liberty. Chains and dungeons ye are wooing, And the storm of death pursuing; Rebels to the known decree. Dread the fruits. . . da capo	Glynde-21	21/Dread-Bolton 21/Chains-Bolton 21/Dread-Bolton
22. Recitative Theodora Deluded mortal! Call it not rebellion, That thus we persevere in spirit and truth, To worship God: it is his dread command, His whom we cannot, dare not, disobey, Though death be our reward. Septimius Death is not yet thy doom: But worse than death to such a virtuous mind, Which Didymus wants eloquence to praise. Lady, these guards are order’d to convey you To the vile place, a prostitute, to whom Valens thinks proper to devote your charms.	Glynde-22	22-Bolton
23. Accompagnato Theodora Oh, worse than death indeed! Lead me, ye guards, Lead me, or to the rack, or to the flames, I’ll thank your gracious mercy.	Glynde-23	23-Bolton
24. Air Theodora Angels, ever bright and fair, Take, oh take me to your care; Speed to your own courts my flight, Clad in robes of virgin white. Angels. . . da capo Exit Theodora with Septimius.	(Glynde-24) Glynde-24 (Glynde-24/Speed) Glynde-24/Speed	(24/Theodora/Angels-Bolton) 24/Theodora/Angels-Bolton (24/Theodora/Speed-Bolton) 24/Theodora/Speed-Bolton 24/Theodora/Angels-Bolton 24/ritornello-Bolton
Scene 6
Enter Didymus.
25. Recitative Didymus Unhappy, happy crew! Why stand ye thus, Wild with amazement? Say, where is my love, My kind instructor in fair virtue’s path, My life, my Theodora? Has the tyrant Seiz’d on his guiltless prey? Irene Alas! She’s gone. Too late thou cam’st to save, if in thy pow’r To save, the fairest, noblest, best of women. A Roman soldier led her trembling hence To the vile place, where Venus keeps her court. Yet on his brow reluctance seem’d to sit, And helpless pity bade us wait our doom.	(Glynde-25) Glynde-25	25-Bolton
26. Air Didymus Kind Heav’n, if virtue be thy care, With courage fire me, Or art inspire me, To free the captive fair. On the wings of the wind will I fly, With this princess to live, or this Christian to die. Kind Heav’n. . . da capo Exit Didymus.	Glynde-26 Glynde-26/On	26/Didymus/Kind-Bolton (26/Didymus/On-Bolton) 26/Didymus/On-Bolton 26/Didymus/Kind-Bolton (26/ritornello-Bolton)
Scene 7
27. Recitative Irene O love, how great thy pow’r! But greater still, When virtue prompts the steady mind to prove Its native strength in deeds of highest honour.	Glynde-27	27-Bolton
28. Chorus of Christians Go, gen’rous, pious youth, May all the pow’rs above Reward thy virtuous love, Thy constancy and truth, With Theodora’s charms, Free from these dire alarms; Or crown you with the blest, In glory, peace and rest.	(Glynde-28/Christians/Go) Glynde-28/Christians/Go Glynde-28/Christians/With	(28/Christians/Go-Bolton) 28/Christians/Go-Bolton 28/Christians/With-Bolton (end_of_Act_1-Bolton)
ACT TWO
Scene 1
Valens, and Chorus of Heathens.
29. Recitative Valens Ye men of Antioch, with solemn pomp, Renew the grateful sacrifice to Jove; And while your songs ascend the vaulted skies, Pour on the smoking altars floods of wine, In honour of the smiling deities, Fair Flora, and the Cyprian queen.	Glynde-Act-II Glynde-29	((start_of_Act_2-Bolton)) 29/Valens/Ye_men_of_Antioch-Bolton
30. Chorus of Heathens Queen of summer, queen of love And thou, cloud-compelling Jove, Grant a long and happy reign, To great Cæsar, king of men.	Glynde-30	30/Heathens/Queen-Bolton
31. Air Valens Wide spread his name, And make his glory Of endless fame The lasting story.	(Glynde-31)	(31/Valens/Wide-Bolton) 31/Valens/Wide-Bolton
32. Recitative Valens Return, Septimius, to the stubborn maid, And learn her final resolution. If ere the sun with prone career has reach’d The western isles, she deigns an offering To the great gods, who subjected the world To conqu’ring Rome, she shall be free; if not, The meanest of my guards with lustful joy Shall triumph o’er her boasted chastity.	Glynde-32	32/Valens/Rerurn-Bolton
33. Chorus of Heathens Venus laughing from the skies, Will applaud her votaries. While seizing the treasure We revel in pleasure, Revenge sweet love supplies.	(Glynde-33) Glynde-33	(33/Heathens/Venus_laughing-Bolton) 33/Heathens/Venus_laughing-Bolton
Scene 2
Theodora, in her Place of Confinement.
34. Symphony	Glynde-34	34-Bolton
35. Recitative Theodora O thou bright sun! How sweet thy rays To health, and liberty! But here, alas, They swell the agonizing thought of shame, And pierce my soul with sorrows yet unknown.	Glynde-35	35-Bolton
36. Air Theodora With darkness deep, as is my woe, Hide me, ye shades of night; Your thickest veil around me throw, Conceal’d from human sight. Or come thou, death, thy victim save, Kindly embosom’d in the grave.	(Glynde-36) Glynde-36	(36-Bolton) 36/With-Bolton 36/Or_come-Bolton
37. Symphony	Glynde-37	37-Bolton
38. Recitative Theodora But why art thou disquieted, my soul? Hark! Heav’n invites thee in sweet rapt’rous strains, To join the ever-singing, ever-loving choir Of saints and angels in the courts above.	Glynde-38	38-Bolton
39. Air Theodora Oh, that I on wings could rise, Swiftly sailing through the skies, As skims the silver dove! That I might rest, For ever blest, With harmony and love. Oh, that I on wings. . . da capo	(Glynde-39) Glynde-39 Glynde-39/That Glynde-39/That	(39-Bolton) 39-Bolton 39/That-Bolton
Scene 3
Didymus and Septimius.
40. Recitative Didymus Long have I known thy friendly social soul, Septimius, oft experienc’d in the camp And perilous scenes of war, when side by side We fought, and brav’d the dangers of the field, Dependant on each other’s arm. With freedom then, I will disclose my mind. I am a Christian, And she, who by Heaven’s influential grace With pure religious sentiments inspir’d My soul, with virtuous love inflam’d my heart, Ev’n she, who, shame to all humanity, Is now condemn’d to public lust. Septimius No more! The shame reflects too much upon thy friend, The mean, though duteous instrument of pow’r, Knowing her virtues only, not thy love.	Glynde-40	40-Bolton
41. Air Septimius Though the honours that Flora and Venus receive From the Romans, this Christian refuses to give, Yet nor Venus, nor Flora, delight in the woe That disfigures their fairest resemblance below.	(Glynde-41) Glynde-41	(41-Bolton) 41-Bolton
42. Recitative Didymus Oh, save her then, or give me pow’r to save, By free admission to th’emprison’d maid! Septimius My guards, not less asham’d of their vile office, Will second your intent, and pleasure me. Didymus I will reward them with a bounteous heart, And you, my friend, with all that Heav’n can give To the sincerity of Pray’r.	Glynde-42	42-Bolton
43. Air Didymus Deeds of kindness to display, Pity suing, Mercy wooing, Who the call can disobey? But the opportune redress Of virtuous beauty in distress, Earth will praise and Heav’n repay. Deeds of kindness. . . da capo	(Glynde-43) Glynde-43 Glynde-43/But	(43-Bolton) 43-Bolton (43/But-Bolton) 43/But-Bolton (43/Deeds-Bolton) 43/Deeds-Bolton
Scene 4
Irene, with the Christians.
44. Recitative Irene The clouds begin to veil the hemisphere, And heavily bring on the night, the last Perhaps to us. Oh, that it were the last To Theodora, ere she fall a prey To unexampled lust and cruelty.	Glynde-44	44-Bolton
45. Air Irene Defend her, Heav’n! Let angels spread Their viewless tents around her bed. Keep her from vile assaults secure, Still ever calm, and ever pure. Defend her. . . da capo	(Glynde-45) Glynde-45 (Glynde-45/Keep) Glynde-45/Keep	(45-Bolton) 45-Bolton (45/Keep-Bolton) 45/Keep-Bolton (45/Defend-Bolton) 45/Defend-Bolton
Scene 5
Theodora’s Place of Confinement. Didymus at a distance, the vizor of his helmet clos’d.
46. Recitative Didymus Or lull’d with grief, or rapt her soul to Heav’n In innocence of thought, entranc’d she lies; Her beauty shining still, like Cynthia, Rising in clouded majesty.	Glynde-46	46-Bolton
47. Air Didymus (approaching her) Sweet rose and lily, flow’ry form, Take me your faithful guard, To shield you from bleak wind and storm — A smile be my reward.	(Glynde-47) Glynde-47	(47-Bolton) 47-Bolton
48. Recitative Theodora (starting) Oh, save me, Heav’n, in this my perilous hour! Didymus Start not, much injur’d princess, I come not As one, this place might give you cause to dread; But your deliverer, sent by just Heav’n, To save the world’s unrivaIl’d ornament Of virtue, faith, and every Christian grace; And that dear ornament to Theodora, Her angel-purity. If you vouchsafe, But to change habit with your Didymus (discovering himself). Theodora Excellent youth! I know thy courage, virtue and thy love; And never can consent they should destroy Their author. This becomes not Theodora, But the blind enemies of truth. Oh no, It must not be! Yet Didymus can give A boon, will make me happy, nor himself Endanger. Didymus How, or what? My soul with transport Listens to the request.	Glynde-48	48-Bolton
49. Air Theodora The pilgrim’s home, the sick man’s health, The captive’s ransom, poor man’s wealth, From thee I would receive. These, and a thousand treasures more, That gentle death has now in store, Thy hand and sword can give.	(Glynde-49) Glynde-49 Glynde-49/These	(49-Bolton) 49-Bolton 49/These-Bolton
50. Accompagnato Didymus Forbid it, Heav’n! Shall I destroy the life I came to save? Shall I in Theodora’s blood embrue My guilty hands, and give her death, who taught Me first to live? Or say, what right have I To take, what just reflection bids confess Not at your own disposal? Think it too, No less a crime, if, thus inflexible, Your safety you refuse. Time forbids more, Strait then resolve to gain your liberty, Preserve your honour, and secure your life. Theodora Ah! What is liberty or life to me, That Didymus must purchase with his own? [[Here Didymus gives Theodora his uniform, which she dons.]] Didymus Fear not for me; the pow’ r that led me hither Will guard me hence. If not, His will be done! Theodora Yes, kind deliverer, I will trust that pow’r To hear my pray’r for thee, so lately heard For Theodora; who had ne’er exposed Her friend to shun a danger that concern’d Only her Life. Farewell, thou generous youth! Didymus Farewell, thou mirror of the virgin state!	Glynde-50	50-Bolton
51. Duet Theodora To thee, thou glorious son of worth, Be life and safety giv’n. Didymus To thee, whose virtues suit thy birth, Be every blessing giv’n. Both I hope again to meet on earth, But sure shall meet in Heav’n.	(Glynde-51) Glynde-51/Theo Glynde-51/Didy Glynde-51/Both	(51-Bolton) 51/Theo-Bolton 51/Didy-Bolton 51/Both-Bolton
Scene 6
Irene, with the Christians.
52. Recitative Irene ‘Tis night, but night’s sweet blessing is denied To grief like ours. How can we think of sleep, While Theodora wakes to misery, And threat’ning death hangs hovering o’er our heads? Be pray’r our refuge, pray’r to Him, who rais’d, And still can raise, the dead to life and joy.	Glynde-52	52-Bolton
53. Chorus of Christians He saw the lovely youth, death’s early prey, Alas, too early snatch’d away! He heard his mother’s fun’ral cries: “Rise, youth”, He said. The youth begins to rise. Lowly the matron bow’d, and bore away the prize.	(Glynde-53) Glynde-53/saw Glynde-53/heard Glynde-53/rise	(53-Bolton) 53/saw-Bolton -Bolton 53/rise-Bolton 53/lowly-Bolton
ACT THREE
Scene 1
Irene, with the Christians.
54. Air Irene Lord, to Thee each night and day, Strong in hope, we sing and pray. Though convulsive rocks the ground, And thy thunders roll around, Still to Thee, each night and day, We sing and pray. Lord, to Thee. . . da capo	(Glynde-Act-III) (Glynde-54) Glynde-54 (Glynde-54/Though) Glynde-54/Though	((Act-III-Bolton)) (54-Bolton) 54-Bolton (54/Through-Bolton) 54/Through-Bolton 54/Lord-Bolton
Scene 2
Enter Theodora, in the habit of Didymus.
55. Recitative Irene But see, the good, the virtuous Didymus! Wakeful as Philomel, with throbbing heart, He comes to join with us in pray’r for Theodora. Theodora (discovering herself) No, Heav’n has heard your pray’rs for Theodora. Behold her safe! Oh, that as free and safe Were Didymus, my kind deliverer! But let this habit speak the rest.	Glynde-55	Theodora_enters-Bolton 55-Bolton
56. Air Theodora When sunk in anguish and despair, To Heav’n I cried, Heav’n heard my pray’r, And bade a tender father’s care The gen’rous youth employ. The gen’rous youth obey’d and came, All wrapt in love’s divinest flame, To save a wretched virgin’s fame, And turn her grief to joy.	(Glynde-56) Glynde-56 (Glynde-56/The) Glynde-56/The	(56-Bolton) 56-Bolton (56/The-Bolton) 56/The-Bolton (56/riternello-Bolton)
57. Solo and Chorus Irene Blessed by the pow'r who gave us, freely gave His Son to save us. Blest the Son who freely came. Honour, blessing, adoration, ever from the whole Creation, be to God and to the Lamb. Christians Blessing, honour, adoration, ever from the whole Creation, be to God and to the Lamb. Blest be the hand, and blest the pow’r, That in this dark and dang’rous hour, Sav’d thee from cruel strife. Theodora and Christians Lord, favour still the kind intent, And bless thy gracious instrument With liberty and life.	Glynde-57/Irene Glynde-57/Blessing Glynde-57/Blest Glynde-57/Lord Glynde-57/Lord	(57????-Bolton) Organ_solo-Bolton 57????-Bolton
Scene 3
Enter Messenger.
58. Recitative Messenger Undaunted in the court stands Didymus, Virtuously proud of rescued innocence. But vain to save the gen’rous hero’s life Are all entreaties, ev’n from Romans vain. And, high-enrag’d, the President protests, Should he regain the fugitive, no more To try her with the fear of infamy, But with the terrors of a cruel death. Irene Ah, Theodora, whence this sudden change, From grief’s pale looks, to looks of redd’ning joy? Theodora O my Irene, Heav’n is kind, And Valens too is kind, to give me pow’r To execute in turn my gratitude, While safe my honour. Stay me not, dear friend, Only assist me with a proper dress, That I may ransom the too gen’rous youth.	Glynde-58	-Bolton
59. Duet Irene Whither, Princess, do you fly, Sure to suffer, sure to die? Theodora No, no, Irene, no, To life and joy I go. Irene Vain Attempt, oh stay, oh stay! Theodora Duty calls, I must obey. Exit Theodora.	(Glynde-59) Glynde-59	-Bolton
60. Recitative Irene She’s gone, disdaining liberty and life, And ev’ry honour this frail life can give. Devotion bids aspire to nobler things, To boundless love, and joys ineffable: And such her expectation from kind Heav’n.	Glynde-60	-Bolton
61. Air Irene New scenes of joy come crowding on While sorrow fleets away, Like mists before the rising sun That gives a glorious day.	Glynde-61	-Bolton
Scene 4
Valens, Didymus, Septimius, and Chorus of Heathens.
62. Recitative Valens Is it a Christian virtue then, To rescue, from the hands of justice, one Condemn’d by my authority? Didymus Such my religion, it condemns all crimes, None more than disobedience to just pow’r. And had your sentence doom’d her, but to death, I then might have deplor’d your cruelty, And not attempted to defeat it. Yet, I own no crime, unless it be a crime To’ve hindered you from perpetrating that Which would have made you odious to mankind, At least the fairest half. Valens Aye, aye, fond man It was the charms of beauty, not of virtue, That tempted you to save her. Take him hence, And lead him to repentance, or to death.	(Glynde-62/Stage-setting) Glynde-62	-Bolton
Scene 5
Enter Theodora.
Theodora Be that my doom. You may inflict it here, With legal justice, there ‘tis cruelty. If blood your angry laws require, behold, The principal is come to pay the debt: And welcome sure to Romans the exchange, A warlike hero for an helpless maid. Septimius Dwells there such virtuous courage in the sex? Preserve them, O ye gods, preserve them both. Ye Romans, join in the request, if e’er Lucretia’s memory was dear to you, Or this your leader’s valour and renown.	Glynde-62/Theodora	-Bolton
63. Air Septimius From virtue springs each gen’rous deed That claims our grateful pray’r. Let justice for the hero plead, And pity save the fair. From virtue springs. . . da capo	(Glynde-63) Glynde-63	-Bolton
64. Air Valens Cease, ye slaves, your fruitless pray’r! The pow’rs below No pity know, For the brave, or for the fair.	(Glynde-64) Glynde-64	-Bolton
65. Recitative Didymus (to Septimius) ‘Tis kind, my friends, but kinder still If for this daughter of Antiochus, In mind, as noble as her birth, your pray’rs Prevail, that Didymus alone shall die. (to Theodora) Had I as many lives as virtues thou, Freely for thee I would resign them all. Theodora Oppose not, Didymus, my just desires; For know, that ‘twas dishonour I declin’d, Not death, most welcome now, if Didymus Were safe, whose only crime was my escape. [Lost in anguish, quite despairing, Heav’n alone for virtue caring, Then the gen’rous youth did fly Heav’n and love at once obeying, Nor from virtue ever straying, Bless’d this moment let me die.]	Glynde-65 (Glynde-65/Lost) Glynde-65/Lost	-Bolton
66. Chorus of Heathens How strange their ends, And yet how glorious, Where each contends, To fall victorious, Where virtue its own innocence denies, And for the vanquish’d the glad victor dies!	(Glynde-66) Glynde-66 Glynde-66/Where	-Bolton
67. Recitative Didymus (to Valens) On me your frowns, your utmost rage exert, On me, your prisoner in chains. Theodora These chains Are due to me, and death to me alone. Valens Are ye then judges for yourselves? Not so our laws are to be trifled with. If both plead guilty, ‘tis but equity That both should suffer.	Glynde-67	-Bolton
68. Air Valens Ye ministers of justice, lead them hence, I cannot, will not bear such insolence. And as our gods they honour, or despise, Fall they their supplicants, or sacrifice. Exit Valens.	(Glynde-68) Glynde-68	-Bolton
Scene 6
69. Recitative Didymus And must such beauty suffer? Theodora Such useful valour be destroy’d? Septimius Destroy’d, Alas, by an unhappy constancy! Didymus Yet deem us not unhappy, gentle friend, Nor rash; for life we neither hate, nor scorn, But think it a cheap purchase for the prize Reserv’d in Heav’n for purity and faith.	Glynde-69	-Bolton
70. Air and Duet Didymus Streams of pleasure ever flowing, Fruits ambrosial ever growing, Golden thrones, Starry crowns, Are the triumphs of the blest. When from life’s dull labour free, Clad with immortality, They enjoy a lasting rest. Theodora and Didymus Thither let our hearts aspire: Objects pure of pure desire, Still increasing, Ever pleasing, Wake the song, and tune the lyre Of the blissful holy choir. Exeunt	(Glynde-70) Glynde-70 Glynde-70/Thither	-Bolton
Scene 7
Irene, with the Christians.
71. Recitative Irene Ere this, their doom is past and they are gone To prove that love is stronger far than death.	(Glynde-71) Glynde-71	-Bolton
72. Chorus of Christians O love divine, thou source of fame, Of glory, and all joy! Let equal fire our souls inflame, And equal zeal employ, That we the glorious spring may know, Whose streams appear’d so bright below.	(Glynde-72) Glynde-72 Glynde-72/That Glynde/Curtain-call- and-credits	-Bolton

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I have long admired this oratorio,
introduced to me by the 1969 Vanguard recording,
English Chamber Orchestra / Amor Artis Chorale /
Heather Harper / Maureen Forrester / Maureen Lehane / Alexander Young /
Johannes Somary,
which I much enjoyed and frequently replayed
until the vinyl essentially wore out :-)
It has been reissued :-) and is available at Amazon.
The Peter Sellars directed staged version of the oratorio
really is a shock.
As an example,
Sellars presents Valens’ recitative and aria at the start of Act II
as a drunken spiel,
emphasizing the drunkenness of Valens
not only through visual means, staggering and facial tics,
but even through his aural presentation of a drunk’s slurs.
I certainly do not recall such in that recording,
rather that Valens always gave a powerful depiction of a strong, respected leader,
while the Romans came across as noble but misguided.
Sellars really pushes a Nazi/Roman connection,
which exists in his mind if not reality,
and seems to go to any length
to portray Valens and the chorus of heathens unfavorably.

Also, Sellars has his singers
make frequent exaggerated sweeping movements with their arms.
For the Christians, this may be (I am no expert on this) authentic,
but for the Romans Didymus and Septimius it seems artificial.
A little of this is compelling,
but used to excess, as I believe it is here,
it, for me, distracts from the music.

Anyhow, Handel’s genius still comes through in Sellars’ video,
and the video certainly is both interesting and powerful.