InfoAnda - Salzburg celebrates Handel year with new 'Theodora'

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Protesters pack Cairo square, pile pressure on army | | 9 April 2011
Israeli court jails Hezbollah spy for nine years | 31 January 2011
Dollar falls below 89 yen to eight-month low | 28 September 2009

Russia, Venezuela moot oil joint venture | 16 August 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Salzburg celebrates Handel year with new 'Theodora'

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Asia Pacific World Search Search: Salzburg celebrates Handel year with new 'Theodora' AFP - Saturday, August 8 SALZBURG, Austria (AFP) - - This year may the 250th anniversary of the death of George Frideric Handel but his "Theodora" seems to be a bit of an odd choice for the Salzburg Festival, that ultra-swank, ultra-exclusive summer festival of high-end entertainment. ADVERTISEMENT It's not an opera after all, but an oratorio, ie. a contemplative work for our moral and religious edification. It was Handel's penultimate work in that particular genre (he wrote 17 oratorios in all) and he composed it in 1749, just 10 years before he died, aged 74. "Theodora" is a pretty sombre affair, a four-hour tale of martyrdom in which the eponymous heroine, a Christian virgin, chooses to be put to death rather than raped and imprisoned as a sex slave as punishment for refusing to worship heathen Roman gods. Furthermore, the work is scored for a very modest-sized orchestra of strings, oboes and bassoons -- played here by the excellent period-instrument ensemble, the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra. So, it verges on the perverse for German director Christof Loy to stage it in Salzburg's huge Grosses Festspielhaus stage, the operatic equivalent of an IMAX cinema. But in an accompanying programme note, Loy insists that the choice of location was very deliberate, the hangar-like dimensions of the auditorium, "the seemingly endless space, allowing small cells of intimacy to be built up". In larger spaces, Loy says, "much greater tensions can be created to highlight just how fragile such intimacy is". Furthermore, the director does not attempt to turn it into an opera at all, but offers a sort of scenic action, a series of understated, but carefully choreographed tableaux that act as a commentary on the narrative. The set, by German designer Annette Kurz, is as austere as it is stunning: a vast church organ that perfectly encapsulates both the baroque and sacred atmosphere of the work. The costumes, by Ursula Renzenbrink, are restricted to the dark suits and gowns of modern concert performances. Only Theodora stands out, appearing first in virginal white and then in red, reflecting her tortuous spiritual journey. As the heroine, German soprano Christine Schaefer may not be to everyone's taste in this baroque repertoire. But she can shade her silvery voice with a darker and more fiery sheen if she needs to and perfectly encapsulates Theodora's combination of fragility and defiance. In the role of Didymus, US countertenor Bejun Mehta has a refined, luminous finish to his voice and Argentinian mezzo Bernarda Fink is sheer luxury casting as Irene. Canadian tenor Joseph Kaiser was a vocally lithe and fiery Septimius and German baritone Johannes Martin Kraenzle convincingly vindictive as Valens. In an ingenious touch, Loy inserts one of Handel's organ concertos into the middle of Act III, bringing to life the oversized organ on stage and serving to sustain tensions just ahead of the final scene. The solo part was taken by James McVinnie, assistant organist in Westminister Abbey. The chorus was the excellent Salzburg Bachchor and in the pit, the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra played radiantly under British early music specialist Ivor Bolton. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle Birthplace of Roman emperor found in ItalyAP - 2 hours 13 minutes ago Wacky and wonderful arrive in Edinburgh for FringeReuters - 2 hours 24 minutes ago London's theaters defy downturn with bumper yearAP - Saturday, August 8 Forty years on, Beatles fans flock to Abbey Road crosswalkAFP - Saturday, August 8 Salzburg celebrates Handel year with new 'Theodora'AFP - Saturday, August 8 Enlarge Photo Actors Christine Schaefer as Theodora (L) and Bejun Mehta as Dedymus perform in "Theodora" during the Salzburg Festival in July 2009. "Theodora" was George Frideric Handel's penultimate work in the genre of oratorios and he composed it in 1749, just 10 years before he died, aged 74. Most Popular – Entertainment Viewed Scientists decode HIV genome structure: study Britain set to free great train robber Biggs Pacific hurricane strengthens to Category Four storm Cupcakes for reporter on Obama's birthday State-rescued bank RBS mired in bad debts View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Saturday, 8 August 2009
Police: 37 die in Iraq as bombs target Shiites
Bulgaria looks to techno park on old steel site
Britain frees Great Train Robber Biggs
Malaysia denies Internet filter will curb dissent
Surprise fall in US unemployment level
Dollar falls before US jobs data
Drugmakers to supply cheap HIV treatments
Fatah reform problems highlight Palestinian split
Death toll in N. Iraq bombing rises to 21
Aide says Pakistani Taliban leader killed by US
Indonesia police in shootout with suspected militants
Flood threat along river in southwest China diminishing: ministry
GOP Sen. Martinez tells supporters he's resigning
NY court: US govt can withhold Spitzer documents
12 killed in Philippines flooding: officials
'Militants' planning attacks in Delhi arrested: police
Former Beijing airport boss executed in China
Germ warfare scientist Wallace Pannier dies at 81
2 window washers rescued from Calif. high-rise
Arrest of leader a major blow to Sri Lankan rebels
US, Swiss get more time to finalize UBS tax deal
Ex-NY judge gets prison for recruiting prostitutes
Myanmar: Terrorists tried to disrupt Suu Kyi trial
Ohio bus driver was on phone when man killed
3 British troops, 1 American killed in Afghanistan
AP source: Jackson doc gave sedatives before death
Philippine floods kill 12, including 3 Europeans
Gun owners sue DC for right to carry weapons
Clinton visits Mandela, tours his archives
China keen to boost growth, avoid loan quotas: officials
Air India plans to go low-cost to survive
Chinese appliance tycoon's assets frozen in HK
China fund lost 2.1 pct on global portfolio in '08
SKorea, India sign free trade agreement
G.I. Joe should be court-martialed | Entertainment |
Pakistani stocks, rupee up on IMF loan hopes
Dance queen Lady GaGa fashions booming career | Entertainment |
Planner: China rebound still depends on stimulus
Kazakhs cut interest rates for 6th time in 2009
Gun Foundation Sues D.C. For Not Issuing Weapon Permits
Indonesian anti-terror police in shoot out on Java
Hurricane Felicia Continues To Weaken; Set For Early Tuesday Landfall
Martinez Resigns Senate Seat, Governor To Appoint Replacement
Taiwan's Jay Chou cast as Kato in Green Hornet | Entertainment |
Nine-Term Rep. Maloney Drops Plans To Challenge Gillibrand In Senate
Promising New Wastewater Treatment Technique Produces Electricity, Desalinates Water
Sanford's Wife Moving Out of Governor's Mansion
London's theaters defy downturn with bumper year
Reports: Retiring Sen. Mel Martinez Decides Not To Finish Term
Forty years on, Beatles fans flock to Abbey Road crosswalk
Responding To Jobs Report, Reid Says Congress Will Consider Extending Unemployment Benefits
U.S. Economy Sheds Less-Than-Anticipated Jobs In July By 247,000; Unemployment Rate Drops 9.4%
Steamed and stirred: Hot chocolate crowned Guatemalan patrimony
Insurer AIG Swings To First Quarterly Profit In Q2 On Business Stabilization
Salzburg celebrates Handel year with new 'Theodora'
AP source: Jackson doc gave sedatives before death
Comedian Adam Carolla to publish a book of rants
Madonna's Slovenian concert cancelled
David Byrne makes music with London building
Broadway revival of `Hair' recoups its investment
Pilots in SC Learjet crash heard noise, hit brakes
Britain in Afghanistan for 40 years: next army chief
Indonesia believes top militant killed: sources | International |
German ship released by pirates arrives in Kenya
Pro-Georgian blogger target of Internet attacks
Freddie Mac swings to profit, after steep losses
NATO probes two Afghan civilian casualties | International |
Iraq bombs targeting Shi'ites kill 50
Surprise fall in rate of US unemployment
iTunes' Mexico launch could shake up digital market
Iraq bombs kill 50, mostly Shi'ites targeted | International |
Russia rejects new Politkovskaya probe
Pakistani Taliban chief Mehsud 'dead'
U.S. government will not get secret company Internet data
Manson murders back in spotlight 40 years on
Venezuela's Chavez returns envoy to Colombia | International |
47 Iraqis killed in Shiite holy day attacks
India detains suspect North Korean sugar ship | International |
Number of missing from Tonga ferry put at 85 | International |
U.S. moves toward releasing young Guantanamo detainee | International |
British soldiers killed in Afghan attacks
Obama says no quick way to end Honduras crisis | International |
U.S. government will not get secret company Internet data | Technology |
iTunes' Mexico launch could shake up digital market | Technology |
Mouse builds nest in Oregon ATM with $20 bills
Drunk police intern arrested for impersonating cop
FBI sting sheds negative light on NJ development
Former Jack Daniel's master distiller dies at 69
Asian terror suspect Noordin dead: TV
Philly officer accused of unauthorized Obama check
Medical Examiner Says Cocaine Contributed To Billy Mays' Death
Angry Americans disrupt town-hall healthcare talks
China probes Internet bootcamp after teen dies | Technology |
Asia struggles to find serious athletics medal hopes
Ark. doctor, wife face new charges in weapons case
1 dead, 4 missing as Typhoon Morakot slams Taiwan
Pakistan says Taliban chief is probably dead
Surprisingly strong jobs data signal turning point
Unusual ruling costs Appleby at World Golf event
Mich. police: Texas man used 5-month-old as shield
Ark. mom allegedly drank before sons drowned
Salmonella product recalls
Siddle, Clark put Aussies on top in fourth Test
China blames unrest on foreign-based separatists
Pakistani c.bank buys 20 bln rupees of T-bills
IMF boosts loan to Pakistan by $3.2 bln
News Corp tests charge-for-content policy at Sunday Times: report
Japan PM frontrunner calls for single Asian currency
Mad Men still spellbinding | Entertainment |
Michael Douglas' son could get life in prison | Entertainment |
Indonesian police exchange gunfire with militants
Iran Cannes stars seek asylum in Britain: report
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Live metal thrives with Mayhem, Metallica tours | Entertainment |
Live metal thrives with Mayhem, Metallica tours
Asian pop star to play Kato in "Green Hornet"
Beckham on hand as 'Idol' resumes post-Paula
Ludacris takes on many roles beyond rap
US media giants press court to allow J.D. Salinger spin-off
Michael Douglas' son could get life in prison
"Mad Men" still spellbinding
Founder of punk's Mink DeVille dies at 58
Defendants confess helping West at Iran mass trial
Sarkozy played 'big role' ending Georgia war: Medvedev
Taiwan's Jay Chou goes to Hollywood: report
Pakistani Taliban sows doubt over leader's death | International |
Explosions at besieged 'terror hideout' in Indonesia
Abbas reelected Fatah chief at strife-torn congress
Defendants confess helping West at Iran mass trial | International |
French lecturer, embassy staffers on trial in Iran
Iran puts French woman on trial
Fighting kills at least 17 in Somali pirate port | International |
War not won despite 'death' of Taliban chief: Islamabad
NATO friendly fire wounds 5 Afghan policemen | International |
Clinton plants flowers in South African township | International |
Fatah endorses Abbas as party leader | International |
Georgia war changed map for good: Russia's Medvedev | International |
One Turkish soldier killed in PKK violence | International |
Typhoon Morakot leaves 6 dead or missing in Taiwan
Malaysia confirms 3 new swine flu-related deaths
Pakistanis admit helping in Mehsud missile strike
Beijing marks Olympic Games first anniversary
Sotomayor Makes History By Taking Oath As First Hispanic Supreme Court Justice
US calls for Aug San Suu Kyi's unconditional release
Obama says `worst may be behind us' on recession
Voting begins near Sri Lanka's former war zone
Army Finds Soldier's Electrocution Death In Iraq As Accidental
U.S. government will not get secret company Internet data | Technology |
Taiwan's Jay Chou goes to Hollywood: report
The Nation's Weather
Consumer Credit Falls In June For Fifth Straight Month
Malaysia probes Philippine diplomat's killing
Two Failed Florida Banks Close Door
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Demonstrators disrupt health care forums
US sounds out new S.African leader
NASA Council Suggests Revival Of Advanced Concept Institute
AP Enterprise: Faulty speed sensors found on jets
Obese Texas inmate hides gun in his flabs of fat
Eunice Kennedy Shriver remains at Mass. hospital
Obama's health care plan helped by drug industry
SD Zoo's online Panda Cam crashes due to overload
Taiwan's Chou cast as Kato in 'Green Hornet'
Top terror leader reportedly killed in Indonesia
Indonesia to ask Noordin family for DNA comparison
Taiwan's Chou cast as Kato in 'Green Hornet'
Ben Stein loses NY Times column over endorsement
Aerosmith guitarist: Tyler broke shoulder in fall
Jermaine Jackson's 'Smile' coming to iTunes
Billy Mays' family: Never saw signs of cocaine use
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01