It is quite an ambitious project to set the Creation story from Genesis to music. But Joseph Haydn felt he was up to the task and his masterpiece was rolled out in Vienna in 1798.
For the first time, on March 23rd, The Creation will be sung in Bahrain by the Manama Singers.
Musical Director Michael Natzke must have decided it was only fitting that the choir residing in Paradise should sing about the parting of the waters and the creation of all the animals. Resident artist Seanna Mallen was commissioned to paint her vision of Creation for the official poster.
The Creation covers the story from the beginning – when God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1) – until Adam and Eve sing their love duet. Although neither Genesis chapters 1 nor 2 specifically mentions any serenades, I think Haydn basically brings us up through the end of Genesis where they were naked but probably not singing.
The concert ends with the Angel Uriel vocalizing his advice for the pair to be happy with what they have and not wishing for anything more. And again, although I really respect Angel Uriel, the only angel I could find was an unnamed cherubim.
I think Haydn wanting his oratoria to be popular committed two sins; the sin of pride – telling the story his way – and the sin of omission – telling the story but not the whole story- when he left out the part about the snake.
Still it promises to be a fabulous concert.
You can buy tickets for Friday’s concert at Al Osra, the Bookcase or at the Diplomat Radisson Hotel.
Tales of Dragons, Rabbits and Roosters 