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The Creation of Adam, aka The Creation of Man, by Michelangelo from the Sistine Chapel

Haydn’s Die Schöpfung

The Creation: from Genesis to Milton’s Paradise Lost

Composer

Joseph Haydn
Die Schöpfung, Hob. XXI:2

Director’s Series

Completed five decades after Bach’s death, Die Schöpfung (The Creation) offers a significant milestone in the development of the oratorio genre. Strongly influenced by Handel’s definitive examples of the high Baroque, Haydn’s Creation conveys Gottfried van Swieten’s German libretto in sharp musical focus, with vivid characterizations of the creation story described in the book of Genesis. Beginning with the captivating orchestral representation of Chaos, we experience a world brought into beautiful order in seven days, culminating with the union of Adam and Eve. This epic work is best experienced live, sung in the language of its premiere performance (German) and played on period instruments of the Classical era, allowing for the deepest possible level of connection with the musical drama.

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Director’s Series

Completed five decades after Bach’s death, Die Schöpfung (The Creation) offers a significant milestone in the development of the oratorio genre. Strongly influenced by Handel’s definitive examples of the high Baroque, Haydn’s Creation conveys Gottfried van Swieten’s German libretto in sharp musical focus, with vivid characterizations of the creation story described in the book of Genesis. Beginning with the captivating orchestral representation of Chaos, we experience a world brought into beautiful order in seven days, culminating with the union of Adam and Eve. This epic work is best experienced live, sung in the language of its premiere performance (German) and played on period instruments of the Classical era, allowing for the deepest possible level of connection with the musical drama.

Soloists

  • Michele Kennedy Michele Kennedy soprano
  • Thomas Cooley Thomas Cooley tenor
  • Edmund Milly outside wearing a suit Edmund Milly bass

Read the Program Notes

More Information