World-renowned baroque specialist and former NACO Artistic Director Trevor Pinnock returns to conduct Handel's oratorio Theodora on May 14-15
May 05, 2003 -
Ottawa, Canada -- Trevor Pinnock, one of the world's most
celebrated baroque music specialists will lead the National Arts
Centre Orchestra in Handel's passionate oratorio
Theodora, featuring five celebrated singers including Ottawa
soprano Donna Brown in the title role, plus the Cantata Singers of
Ottawa and the NAC debut of Seventeen Voyces. Theodora, sung
in English, will be performed on Wednesday, May 14 and Thursday, May
15 at 20:00 in the NAC's Southam Hall. These concerts mark
Trevor Pinnock's first visit to the NAC since his departure as
the Orchestra's Artistic Director and Principal Conductor
(1991-1996) and Artistic Advisor (1996-1998).
Trevor Pinnock describes Theodora as "a drama of idealistic
love and religious fervour, the tyranny of misused power and the
strength of loyal friendship which goes beyond differences of
belief." Written in 1749 when he was 63, Theodora was the
second last oratorio by Handel, the composer of Messiah and
over 20 other oratorios. He virtually single-handedly developed the
genre of the English oratorio.
Theodora is a devout Christian living in Antioch (Syria) in 304
AD. The Roman soldier Didymus has converted to Christianity after
falling in love with her. When the two resist the edict of the
governor Valens to celebrate the birthday of the pagan Emperor
Dioclesian, the pure Theodora is sentenced to serve as a prostitute
in the public brothel.
Ottawa soprano Donna Brown, who has performed and recorded with
Trevor Pinnock as have most of the other singers, performs the title
role of Theodora. Didymus, the Roman soldier who loves Theodora, is
performed by American countertenor Lawrence Zazzo in his NAC
Orchestra debut, and his friend and fellow soldier Septimius is
performed by Scottish tenor Paul Agnew, also making his NAC Orchestra
debut. British mezzo-soprano Catherine Wyn-Rogers is Theodora's
confidante Irene. Valens, the cruel and vindictive governor of
Antioch is sung by Canadian bass Gary Relyea.
The pagan Roman chorus with its exuberant songs of revelry, and
the dignified Christian chorus are sung by the combined choirs of the
Cantata Singers of Ottawa prepared by Laurence Ewashko and by
Seventeen Voyces prepared by Kevin Reeves.
Trevor Pinnock is renowned the world over as director of the
English Concert, with which he has toured extensively and made
numerous recordings. He is also a guest conductor of many of the
world's leading orchestras and a harpsichord soloist of
international distinction. Having received his basic musical training
as a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral Maestro Pinnock later became a
scholar at the Royal College of Music. His interest in baroque music
led him to form the English Concert in 1973. This season after 30
years as sole musical director of the English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
passes on this mantle to the violinist Andrew Manze.
As a harpsichord soloist, his recent recording of J.S. Bach's
6 Partitas for harpsichord (Hänssler Classics 115) won
the 2001 Gramophone Award for 'Best Baroque Instrumental'
record of the year. The runner-up in this category was his recording
with Rachel Podger of J.S. Bach's Sonatas for Violin and
Harpsichord (Channel Classics CCS 14798). While in Ottawa
he will also perform as harpsichordist with ensembles of the NAC
Orchestra for the Music for a Sunday Afternoon concert on May 18.
Tickets for Handel's Theodora at the National Arts
Centre on May 14 and 15 are on sale now at $26.50, $43.50 and $54.50,
with box seats at $68.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC
Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through
Ticketmaster
(with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed
through the NAC's web-site at www.nac-cna.ca.
Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on
sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid
student ID card.
