ASHLAND, ORE. – Southern Oregon Repertory Singers will conclude its30th season under the direction of Dr. Paul French, with a performance of Joseph Haydn’s magnificent “Creation” on Saturday, May 21st, 2016 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, May 22nd, 2016 at 3:00 pm.
Composed late in life, “Creation” represents Haydn at his tuneful and creative best. The premiere in Vienna in 1798 was an immediate success with thunderous applause bursting out between each of the three sections and cries of “Long live Papa Haydn, long live music!” at the jubilant conclusion. “Creation” has remained one of the most popular compositions of all time, its music alternately joyful, dramatic, descriptive, and always tuneful and full of life. Repertory Singers will perform “Creation” in English with an orchestra drawn from the Rogue Valley Symphony and period players across the west coast. Three sensational soloists, all of whom performed beautifully in Repertory Singers’ performance of JS Bach’s “Saint Matthew Passion”, are soprano, Elissa Johnston, tenor, Brian Thorsett, and baritone, Christopher Nomura, recently a featured performer for Chamber Music Concerts. Don’t miss what promises to be the event of the season. Haydn’s “Creation” is sure to bring joy to your life. Dr. French says, “Haydn’s music is inspired, full of life, beautiful and includes one of the most celebrated moments in all of western music: the blazing C major entrance of the orchestra to accompany the words: “and there was light”.
“Creation” will be held at the comfortable and acoustically superb SOU Music Recital Hall on S. Mountain Avenue in Ashland. There will be a free pre-concert lecture about the music that will be performed one hour prior to the concert. Parking is free in the lot on S. Mountain Ave. across from the Music Recital Hall.
In preparation for the performance of “Creation”, Repertory Singers will present four Free Public Lectures by musicologist and staff lecturer, Ed Wight. Lectures featuring musical examples are one hour and refreshments will be served. They will take place on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at 3 pm, Temple Emek Shalom, 1800 E. Main Street, Ashland, Conference Room Monday, May 2, 2016 at 3 pm, Ashland Public Library, Gresham and Siskiyou, Ashland, Gresham Room Monday, May 9, 2016 at 7 pm, Trinity Episcopal Church, 44 North Second Street, Ashland, Parish Hall Monday, May 16, 2016 at 3 pm and at Medford Congregational United Church of Christ, 1801 East Jackson Street, Medford.
Ticket prices for “Creation” are $38 and $32 with Student and SNAP Card holders charged $5 on day of sale. For tickets and information go to repsingers.org or call 541.552.0900