This February, the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House will be filled with the rich sounds of Handel’s ‘Theodora’, thanks to an unprecedented collaboration between two of Australia’s leading opera companies – Opera Australia and Pinchgut Opera.
For the first time in their illustrious histories, these two giants of the opera scene have joined forces to present ‘Theodora in Concert’, marking the first Handel opera programmed by OA in the past decade. This thrilling collaboration gives audiences a rare chance to experience Handel’s captivating score, performed in English by some of Australia’s most renowned early music specialists.
Pinchgut Opera, renowned for their renditions of seldom-performed 17th and 18th-century masterpieces, will be making their Sydney Opera House stage debut with this production. The artistic prowess of Erin Helyard, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Pinchgut Opera, along with acclaimed opera director Lindy Hume, promise a performance of exceptional quality.
Australian soprano Samantha Clarke, fresh off a widely celebrated debut performance as Violetta in OA’s La Traviata, will be stepping into the titular role of Theodora. Clarke’s recent performance was lauded by the Sydney Morning Herald for her “fluid grace” and “thrilling force at climactic moments.”
Adding to the star-studded lineup is American countertenor Christopher Lowrey, who will be making his OA debut as Didymus, a role he has performed to global acclaim. Joining him will be Helen Sherman, a Helpmann Award nominee, who will make her OA debut as Irene. Regular OA performers and audience favourites, Michael Petruccelli and David Greco, will play Septimius and Valens, respectively.
Backing this powerhouse cast is Pinchgut’s Chorus, Cantillation, and the critically acclaimed Orchestra of Antipodes, led by Erin Helyard on the harpsichord. This landmark performance is not just a celebration of collaboration and musical talent, but also a testament to the enduring power and beauty of Handel’s opera.