Handel’s Theodora may just be his best oratorio, even if nowadays it’s better known in fully staged versions. On Friday night it was presented by a combination of the Schola Cantorum, The Theatre of Early Music and assorted guests under the direction of Daniel Taylor at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene.
The annual Donizetti festival in Bergamo makes a point of resurrecting less well known Donizetti operas. In 2022 Chiara e Serafina; Donizetti’s first commission for La Scala, got the treatment. It’s got some very decent music if you like early Donizetti. The Sestetto in Act 2 is particularly well constructed and it’s generally tuneful and allows the singers to strut their stuff.
