Royal Opera House Theodora

Theodora unfolds in Roman-occupied Alexandria during the early Christian era, where the devout Christian maiden Theodora faces persecution under the pagan Emperor Valens. When the governor Didymus encounters Theodora's unwavering faith, he becomes moved by her conviction and secretly converts to Christianity himself. As Theodora is condemned to a pagan temple to be defiled, Didymus disguises himself and takes her place, sacrificing his own life for her salvation. The opera explores themes of martyrdom, redemption, and the transformative power of faith as characters navigate the collision between earthly authority and spiritual conviction. Handel's score combines soaring arias with dramatic choruses that underscore the spiritual and political tensions of the narrative.