Richard Croft -Theodora - From Virtue Springs Each Gen'rous Deed 

Peter Sellars staging, William Christies conducting, Richard Croft singing Handel; Simply Perfection.

Richard Croft = my favourite tenor since the mid-90s when I first saw this production. Gorgeous singing and powerful, moving acting are a rare, and much-needed combination in opera these days.

Flawless! Every time he sings "Fond of life" I get goosebumps

What a virile voice. Beautiful technique and delivery. 👏👏👏👏

For me, he is the best tenor in the baroque repertoire. He is technically and expressively wonderul.

I heard him 6ft away from me in a room. It felt like a baptism all over again.

richard croft has the most colorful tenor i ever heard. he is the best

2:15 what a brillant moment when he is angry about the power of their faith but inside he respect it.

what an awesome voice.....why isn't he better known? such honest intensity with incredible technical agility.

this is a beautiful and highly spiritual production. i suggest you rewatch "as with rosy steps" and "angels, ever bright and fair" and allow yourself to be moved. theodora is a work of art that belongs to artists, not literalists.

This is emotionally and musically one of the best moments one can expect and get from a live performance… I can’t hold my tears back at the end of “from virtue springs.” A unique beauty and intensity… Thank you Mr. Croft for this gift!

Indudablrmente en la voz de un gran tenor como R. Croft que, en mi humilde y diletante criterio, supera con exito las dificultades tecnicas y vocales, de la ultima aria de esta seleccion. Saludos.

Literally brings me to tears how well this music is excited.....Richard Croft forever the best Handel and Mozart!!

This is still my favorite. When I am feeling low about singing I always listen to this and I feel centered again.

Qué belleza por Dios!!!!!

Stunningly performed ... He seems being born in order to sing Händel's Oratorios.

09:22 what a moment. I almost crying. Croft is almost crying.

21. Air Septimius Dread the fruits of Christian folly, And this stubborn melancholy Fond of life and liberty. Chains and dungeons ye are wooing, And the storm of death pursuing; Rebels to the known decree. Dread the fruits. . . da capo

MOVE OVER, JUAN DIEGO! We've had Richard Croft all along after all!

63. Air Septimius From virtue springs each gen'rous deed That claims our grateful pray'r. Let justice for the hero plead, And pity save the fair. From virtue springs. . . da capo

Did anyone notice his orange uniform says "R. Croft".

The best two arias of the entire amazing work! And what a performance by Richard Croft!

This video I return to again again again. Year after Year.

I just wish this video included him singing "Descent, Kind Pity."

Ok, Mr. Croft has for sure the most beautiful tenor voice I've ever heared. Thanks a lot for sharing!

it's exactly like "no, no I'll take no less" from semele !

That technique is... is... inhuman !

I search the meaning of this song please

CROFT IS AMAZING AND THE MUSIC DEVINE BUT I FOUND THE SCENERY AND SETTING AS REJECTING.I HAD TO CLOSE THE EYES IN ORDER TO REALLY ENJOY IT.

Richard croft is the best

Divine!!! Beautiful voice!

I sing "From virtue", but in my score the middle part is shorter...

Thank you for your comment. As I said the music is glorious in this production, it's the staging that I am commenting on. It is the STAGING that is an OBSCENE pagan mockery. If you think that this staging is spiritually appropriate for this work then we are miles apart in our thinking and there is no possibility for us to have any further dialogue on this matter. Best wishes.

9:23 uff! I will start to cry too

Fantastic!

this production gives me goose bumps. i love it

The BEST haendelian tenor.

A very destructive staging of this spiritual work about Christian marytrydom. Sellers makes a pagan mockery of the work. Theodora is not about political tyranny at all as Sellers portrays it here in this savage production. Glorious singing redeems the DVD however.

......wonderful.