The Occasional Consort, led by leading early music exponent Anne Whiteman, is giving a performance of the rarely heard Theodora at Winchelsea’s St Thomas’s Church on Saturday, June 1 at 7:30pm. Tickets are £10 on the door, to include a glass of wine in the interval.
Said to be Handel’s favourite composition, this work has been performed not only in its original form as an oratorio but also staged as an opera. Occasional’s performance in Winchelsea will be accompanied by harpsichord and strings, led by Peter Field the Northiam-based professional violinist who has performed with leading UK orchestras, and with narrations rather than recitatives to move the story along.
Local soloists include the beautiful soprano voice of Grace Constable as Theodora, Lin Westcott as her servant Irene, who has the oratorio’s most famous aria “as with rosy steps the morn”, and Rebekah Gilbert as Theodora’s lover Didymus.
Simply lovely music, and Handel at his best, the choir draws on experienced singers from the Rye and Hastings area. Don’t miss it, you may not get the opportunity to hear another live performance of this piece for many years!
Image Credits: Rye and Winchelsea Rotary Club .