Theodora, on a libretto by Thomas Morell, was composed between 28 June and 31 July 1749 when Handel was in his 65th year. This oratorio was written for SMATB soli (with a small supporting part for the tenor), SATB chorus and orchestra. This vocal score, edited by Watkins Shaw, contains all voice parts and a piano accompaniment, and includes a lengthy preface by the editor on the history and the staging of the work.