Handel’s dramatic oratorio Theodora bewildered 18th-century audiences but has come into its own in our current troubled times when it is regularly staged. Our June Recording of the Month is a very special interpretation indeed from conductor Jonathan Cohen and his period ensemble Arcangelo. (Alpha ALPHA1025).

In his five-star review, Will Yeoman admires “the sheer fluency and splendour of the singing,” as well as the way each singer inhabits their character. “Listen to Louise Alder’s exquisite Angels, ever bright and fair, her floating tone and purity of diction binding fragility and strength in phrase after lissom phrase,” he writes, or “try countertenor Tim Mead’s Kind Heav’n, if virtue be thy care, despatched with a grace and tenderness befitting its devotional flavour.”

The rest of the cast is just as fine. Anna Stéphany as Theodora’s confidant Irene is heartbreaking in As with rosy steps the morn, Stuart Jackson brings depth and eloquence to Descend, kind pity and Adam Plachetka is virile and commanding in Go, my faithful soldier, go. “Where innocents everywhere are being persecuted for their beliefs, religious or otherwise, Arcangelo’s Theodora is timely, affirming the power of art to...