Haydn’s exuberant and life-affirming oratorio The Creation tops off the summer’s theme “The Adoration of the Earth.” During his first visit to London, Haydn attended one of the Handel festivals held in Westminster Abbey. He was so overwhelmed by Messiah and Israel in Egypt that he determined to compose an oratorio himself that could stand alongside Handel’s supreme masterpieces in the genre. The work was an immediate success and received many performances all over Europe. As in opera and most oratorios, The Creation has named characters. Soloists represent the archangels Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael, and later Adam and Eve. Parts One and Two describe the six days of Creation. In Part Three, Adam and Eve make their appearance and celebrate the newly created world and their happiness together.

Haydn’s inventiveness, vitality, and genius in musical word painting bring the subject to life with great vividness and power. With an exciting lineup of soloists and the marvelous professional choral ensemble Seraphic Fire joining the Aspen Festival Orchestra, this is sure to be a performance to savor, and an inspiring finale to the 2023 season!

Newly announced! Tenor Matthew Polenzani and soprano Maeve Höglund will be featured soloists in this performance.