Singers unite for an evening of Haydn (From Wharfedale Observer)

Singers unite for an evening of Haydn

4:50pm Wednesday 25th April 2012 in Leisure

lkley and Otley Choral Societies will perform Haydn masterpiece The Creation at St Margaret’s Church, Ilkley, on Saturday, April 28.

The performance of Haydn’s great oratorio is taking place in association with Ilkley Parish Council’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Composed between 1796 and 1798, the oratorio was scored for soprano, tenor and bass soloists, chorus and orchestra. After visiting London and hearing the music of GF Handel, Haydn returned to Vienna, determined to write an oratorio that would be remembered long after his lifetime.

Haydn, a religious man, put his all into composing The Creation, regularly praying for God to give him the strength to complete it. It was first performed in Vienna in 1799 and the following year in London at Covent Garden.

The oratorio depicts the creation of the world as described in the Book of Genesis and in Paradise Lost by John Milton. Part one encompasses the creation of primal light, the heavenly bodies, earth, bodies of water, weather and plant life and concludes with the marvellous chorus ‘The heavens are telling the glory of God’.

Part two tells, often with Haydn’s humour, of sea creatures, birds, animals and man, and part three concludes with a choral and symphonic hymn to the Garden of Eden and to the first hours of Adam and Eve.

The soloists for the performance will be Kristina James, soprano, Christopher Trenholme, tenor, and Philip Wilcox, bass.

In keeping with tradition, Ilkley singers will be joined by members of Otley Choral Society and Christopher Rathbone, director of music at St Margaret’s Church, will play the organ. The conductor will be Alan Horsey.

The performance starts at 7pm.Tickets cost £11 and £10 (concessions) and are available from The Grove Bookshop; from members of the chorus; by phoning 01943 816774.