Gloria Musicae Presents
Haydn’s “The Creation”
February 28
Gloria Musicae’s 37th season continues with “The Creation,” Haydn’s majestic oratorio, presented in collaboration with Sarasota Orchestra, the State College of Florida Concert Choir and sensational soloists.
(Sarasota, FL) Gloria Musicae’s 37th season continues with “The Creation,” Haydn’s majestic oratorio, presented in collaboration with the Sarasota Orchestra and the State College of Florida Concert Choir, February 28, 3 p.m., at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota. Considered by many to be Haydn’s masterpiece, the oratorio depicts and celebrates the creation of the world as described in the Book of Genesis and Milton’s “Paradise Lost.” The performance, under the direction of Dr. Joseph Holt, the artistic director of Gloria Musicae, will also feature nature photographs provided by the Science and Environmental Council of Southwest Florida. The concert is part of Church of the Palms’ 2015-2016 concert series. Tickets are $30 at the door; $25 in advance. Student tickets, available at the door with ID are $5. For tickets and info, visit www.gloriamusicae.org or call 941-387-6406.
In addition to the acclaimed Gloria Musicae Singers, the State College of Florida Concert Choir and the Sarasota Orchestra, the featured soloists are Danielle Talamantes, soprano; Matthew Smith, tenor; and Joseph Wilkerson, bass.
Considered by many to be Haydn’s masterpiece, the oratorio depicts and celebrates the creation of the world as described in the Book of Genesis and Milton’s “Paradise Lost.” The performance will also feature nature photographs provided by the Science and Environmental Council of Southwest Florida. Holt says that the photographs are “visual representations of the Creation, which we, as human beings, have been entrusted as caretakers.”
Holt adds: “The translation of this edition, by Robert Shaw and Alice Parker, incorporates more expressive use of the English language in a natural flowing style as opposed to the archaic English of the 18th century. In what would have been Robert Shaw’s 100th birthday year, this concert is presented in tribute to the great choral maestro of the 20th century.”
Gloria Musicae’s 37th season features innovative programming that has become the organization’s hallmark under the artistic direction of Holt. Characterized by the combination of vibrant performance and outstanding musicianship, Gloria Musicae’s 2015/16 season is rich with eclecticism, collaboration, and–above all–great music.
Following “Creation” is the Florida premiere of “Barnum’s Bird,” composer Libby Larsen’s operatic probe into the uneasy struggle between art and entertainment, April 3, 7 p.m., at Neel Performing Arts Center at the State College of Florida, 5840 26th Street West, Bradenton, and April 5, 7 p.m., at the Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Avenue, Venice. Larsen’s eclectic and imaginative score chronicles the relationship between pioneering showman P.T. Barnum and Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind, an artist and also a savvy businesswoman in her own right. The composer, Libby Larsen, will be a guest commentator for The Ringling’s “The Ringling Viewpoint,” and is also a guest for SILL’s Musical Mondays,” hosted by June LeBell and Joseph Holt.
Gloria Musicae concludes its season with a “Patriotic Spectacular,” its annual July 4th celebration of American composers and the American spirit July 4, 2016, 4:30 p.m., at First United Methodist Church in Sarasota.
The Gloria Musicae Singers are partnering with the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota in a number of concerts this season, including two tributes to the music of Rogers and Hammerstein, in March, at the North Port Performing Arts Center and in May at the Historic Asolo Theater.
For more information about Gloria Musicae, visit www.GloriaMusicae.org.
About Gloria Musicae
Gloria Musicae celebrates choral music through innovative performances. The critically acclaimed group, the Gloria Musicae Singers, under the artistic direction of Dr. Joseph Holt, performs a repertoire spanning four centuries, and includes orchestral works, intimate madrigals, church motets, folk songs, close-harmony jazz, and Broadway show music. The ensemble also specializes in premiere performances of lesser-known choral works, particularly music by living American composers. The Gloria Musicae Singers has performed premieres by René Clausen, Dick Hyman, Robert Levin, Gwyneth Walker, and James Grant, along with the premiere of a new edition of a rarely heard score by Rossini. For more information about Gloria Musicae, visit www.gloriamusicae.org.
