Haydn, The Creation

Saturday 5th April

The Creation, the last major work of Franz Joseph Haydn’s lengthy career is one of the masterpieces of the choral-orchestral repertoire.

Haydn straddles the two great eras of music, from Baroque to Romantic. He was 18 when Bach died and 72 when Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony ushered in the Romantic period. Musical patronage had moved from the Church, through the Royal Courts and public concerts were becoming immensely popular.

The Creation begins with an extended orchestral introduction, ‘Representation of Chaos.’ Parts One and Two then describe the six days of Creation, each of which follow a pattern of biblical narrative, a descriptive central section then a hymn of praise. Three soloists represent the archangels Gabriel (soprano), Uriel (tenor) and Raphael (bass), with the chorus fulfilling an important role portraying angels glorifying their maker. Part Three is devoted to the appearance of Adam and Eve (bass and soprano) who sing of the wonder and perfection of God’s newly created world and of their happiness together. Soloists and choir combine for the final uplifting chorus of praise.

The almost childlike cheerfulness of Haydn’s music, its inventiveness and perfection of design conceal a considerable inner strength. This fusion of exuberance, originality, classical elegance and intellectual power explains to a large extent the compelling appeal of his music. These are the qualities that placed Haydn far and away above the level of all except Mozart amongst his contemporaries, and kept him at the forefront of music during most of the eighteenth century. No wonder he was hailed as a genius throughout Europe.

John Bawden

Our performance includes top class soloists including Soprano Alice Johnston and Tenor Desmond Havelin from the Northern Ireland Opera along with Bass, Tom Asher as Adam and local instrumentalists, including members of Richmondshire Orchestra.

Acknowledgements We wish to acknowledge the genorous support of Millgate House & Garden, Dowse of Richmond, Chris Shaw & Nigel Tooze and Lidl, Richmond.

Meet our soloists

 Soprano Alice Johnston    Tenor Desmond Havlin   Bass Tom Asher

Click the portraits above to see more information about our soloists. This is a first visit to Richmond for Desmond and Tom. Alice returns to Richmond after performing with Ben Noble and pupils of Richmond School in 2023 in a concert for the charity We Can Dance.

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     Our Musical Director Ben Noble writes about The Creation.

Tickets

Tickets are available on the door, from choir members and at Neeps and Tatties and Castle Hill Bookshop in Richmond.

Ticket prices for The Creation: Adults £15, Students £3, accompanied children free.

Click on the image immediately below to buy tickets for our upcoming events online at Ticket Source. There is a Ticket Source booking fee of £1.17.