Theodora

Composer: George Handel
Librettist: Thomas Morell
Company: Ars Lyrica Houston

Synopsis

Production note: This staging updates the opera's original setting of 4th-century Antioch to an alternative modern-day reality where Christians work alongside their Roman oppressors in the Embassy of Valens, the Roman ambassador. Theodora, a Christian and an employee in Valens' household, secretly plots to destroy the Embassy.

ACT I

Valens, the Roman ambassador, announces a public sacrifice to Jove in honour of the Emperor's birthday. He declares that those who refuse to take part in the celebrations will be executed, and charges Septimius, a Roman security guard, with enforcing this ruling. Didymus, another guard who is secretly in love with Theodora, asks the ambassador to relent. Valens refuses, and accuses Didymus of disloyalty to Rome. Didymus begs Septimius not to carry out the Governor's orders, but he refuses.

Theodora and Irene, who work in the Roman embassy, secretly pray as they plot to destroy it. Marcus, a fellow Christian, informs them that their plan has been discovered. Septimius comes to arrest them and declares a new punishment: Theodora will be forced to become a sex worker for the Roman soldiers. Irene and Theodora are led away. Didymus arrives too late to intervene and resolves to rescue Theodora. The Christians pray for his success.

ACT II

The Romans proceed with their celebrations in honour of Jove and the Emperor. Valens dispatches Septimius to Theodora with an offer of mercy if she will give up her faith. Theodora refuses and contemplates death as she awaits her punishment. Didymus persuades Septimius to allow him to see Theodora. Irene prays for God's protection. Theodora is startled by Didymus's arrival and, afraid of further punishments, she asks Didymus to kill her. Instead, he suggests they swap clothes. Theodora makes her escape disguised as Didymus. Irene leads a vigil with the Christians.

INTERVAL

ACT III

Irene and the Christians celebrate Theodora's safe return, but she fears for Didymus's life. Marcus announces that Didymus has been sentenced to death, and that the same punishment awaits Theodora if she is found. Irene tries to restrain her, but Theodora is defiant. She goes to Valens and offers her own life in exchange for that of Didymus. Valens refuses to pardon Didymus and Theodora, and sends them to their deaths. Trapped in the embassy cold store, Theodora and Didymus begin to freeze, but at the last moment, Irene intervenes, with devastating consequences.