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USM Chorale and Orchestra perform “The Creation” at Merrill

Joyous, moving, inspiring – that’s Haydn’s masterwork, “The Creation.” And when you hear it, you will say, it was good!

Arguably one of the most popular oratorios of all time, Joseph Haydn’s “The Creation,” based on the Book of Genesis, will be presented by the University of Southern Maine School of Music at 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 13, 2009, in Merrill Auditorium, Portland. There’s a $12 suggested donation at the door. Seating is unreserved. Call the USM Music Box Office at 780-5555 for more information.

Conductor and faculty member Robert Lehmann of Scarborough will lead the 100 voice strong USM University Chorale and the Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra in this performance of a great masterpiece by a giant of Classical music -- joined by soloists bass Malcolm Smith of Cape Elizabeth; tenor John Coons of Corinna; and soprano Molly Harmon of Portland.

This stunning evening -- a commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Haydn’s death -- is sponsored by Down East, the magazine of Maine; Head and Associates; McDonald Page & Co LLC; and Murray, Plumb & Murray.

The soloists joining the orchestra and chorus are associated with USM. They include USM faculty member Malcolm Smith of Cape Elizabeth, a bass who has sung at The Met in New York and other opera houses around the world; tenor John Coons of Corinna, a current graduate student, studying with Smith; and soprano Molly Harmon of Portland, a senior music education major studying with Judith James. They represent the three archangels Raphael, Uriel, and Gabriel respectively.

“With this production,” says Lehmann, “The USM School of Music showcases the talents of its students, faculty and community partners with this exceptional work written at the height of Haydn's powers.

“After one of the most illustrious careers in music, Haydn, well into his 60's, stunned the world by coming out of retirement (1798) with an oratorio based on the story of Genesis, that combined solo, choral and instrumental forces with his trademark cheerful humor, gift of melody and masterful technique. The work was an overwhelming success and stood on equal footing with that 'other' oratorio (Handel's Messiah) for many years.

“The text is heightened through musical settings that paint vivid images of the scenes; from the shockingly unconventional representation of Chaos in the overture, to the sublime creation of the stars and moon, to the whimsical depiction of the great whales, nimble stags, 'flexible' tigers insects and worms.”

“The overture must have seemed daring, sinister, and unpredictable to his audiences,” notes program scholar, Linda Russell. Referring to the famous lines in the text, ‘and there was light,’ she notes, “The sudden fortissimo of chorus and orchestra on the work light has made a powerful effect on every audience since the premiere, as Haydn knew it would.”

“Legend has it that the text for this work was originally put together for the great Handel, who never got around to setting it,” continues Lehmann. “Haydn took the libretto back to Vienna where it was translated into German for performances there, and was subsequently re-translated into English for the performances in London soon after. This accounts for some of the quaint and quirky words and phrases such as the aforementioned 'flexible' tiger. Many attempts at fixing or improving the text have come and gone, and yet the original, quirks and all, remains pleasingly comforting.”

Two other performances of Haydn’s “The Creation” will take place:

Sunday November 8 at 3 p.m.
Kingswood Regional High School, 396 Main St., Wolfeboro, N.H., sponsored by the Wolfeboro Friends of Music, Individual tickets are $18, or $17 each for parties of 3 or more. For tickets call (603) 569-2151.

Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 3 p.m.
North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra, Swampscott High School Auditorium, 200 Essex Street, Swampscott, MA. http://www.nspo.org/concerts-tickets.htm

Those needing special accommodations to participate fully in this program,
contact Emmanuelle Chaulet at 780-5146.
Hearing impaired: call USM's telex / TDD number 780-5646

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